Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Statesville Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Death of Two-Year-Old Boy

Introduction

Jordan Hoyt Simmons, a 31-year-old resident of Statesville, has been handed a minimum prison sentence of more than ten years in connection to the tragic death of a two-year-old boy in 2019. The sentencing comes after an extensive investigation by the Statesville Police Department, revealing inconsistencies in Simmons’ initial account of the incident.

The Incident

On September 5, 2019, the Statesville Police Department received an emergency call regarding an unresponsive two-year-old child. Responding swiftly, officers arrived at an address on Alexander Street, where they encountered Jordan Simmons, identified as the child’s stepfather.

Simmons’ Account

Simmons claimed that earlier that day, he had taken the child on a motorcycle ride, which unfortunately ended in an accident. After returning home, Simmons stated that he placed the child in a bathtub filled with water before briefly leaving the premises. Upon his return, he discovered the child unresponsive in the bathtub. Despite immediate transportation to Iredell Memorial Hospital, the child tragically passed away.

The Investigation

The subsequent investigation, led by the Criminal Investigations Division, unveiled compelling evidence that contradicted Simmons’ initial version of events. The evidence strongly suggested that the child’s injuries were inconsistent with the reported accident. As the investigation progressed, Simmons was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse resulting in serious injury.

The Alford Plea

In a court hearing overseen by the Honorable J. Crosswhite on December 12, Simmons entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder. This plea allows defendants to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction.

The Prosecution and Sentencing

Assistant District Attorney Carrie Nitzu skillfully prosecuted the case against Simmons. The prosecution’s efforts ultimately led to Judge Crosswhite delivering a sentence of 125 to 164 months (equivalent to 10 years, five months to 13 years, eight months) of active imprisonment for Simmons.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Jordan Hoyt Simmons to over ten years in prison serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences for actions that lead to the loss of innocent lives. The thorough investigation and subsequent legal proceedings have ensured that justice has been served for the tragic death of the two-year-old boy..