“Father Found Guilty of Slowly Suffocating 4-Month-Old Daughter with Fentanyl Overdose”

A tragic incident in Tennessee has resulted in a guilty verdict for a 40-year-old father who caused the death of his 4-month-old daughter. Jesse Wayne Craddock, who overdosed on fentanyl, passed out on top of his daughter for over 10 minutes, leading to her slow suffocation.

A jury in Wilson County found Craddock guilty of first-degree felony murder, aggravated child neglect, and simple possession of fentanyl. The trial lasted four days before Judge Brody Kane.

On April 3, 2021, Lebanon Police Department officers responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive adult male and an unresponsive infant female at the Travel Inn motel. Craddock was described as “responsive but disoriented,” while his daughter, Harley Kemp Craddock, was unconscious and not breathing. Despite immediate CPR efforts, Harley was pronounced dead upon arrival at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital.

An autopsy revealed that Harley’s cause of death was asphyxiation, and investigators determined that Craddock fell on top of the child while under the influence of fentanyl. Surveillance footage showed Craddock remaining on top of the child for approximately 13 minutes.

Prior to his conviction, Craddock was already in prison for a probation violation. He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in November 2023.

The Lebanon Police Department expressed satisfaction with the verdict and thanked the agencies involved in the investigation.

This tragic case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and neglect. It highlights the importance of responsible caregiving and the need for support systems to ensure the safety and well-being of children. The loss of young Harley Kemp Craddock is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.

If you have any information related to this case, please contact [email protected]

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