SEARCY -- A Searcy man faces a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in the June death of his 4-month-old daughter, the White County prosecuting attorney's office said Wednesday.
Dustin Lee Watson, 19, entered the negotiated plea before Judge Robert Edwards in White County Circuit Court on Monday. Edwards sentenced Watson to the 40-year term.
The infant, Za'Miya Watson, suffered blunt-force trauma and died during surgery June 19 at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.
The father was originally charged with first-degree murder. In Arkansas, the charge can carry a sentence of 10 to 40 years or life in prison.
State Desk on 10/05/2014