For immediate release
July 11, 2016

A 31-year-old Kansas City man now faces multiple felony charges in connection with the alleged beating of a child who passed soon after a reported beating on May 29, 2016, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

A Jackson County grand jury late last week indicted Nathaniel A. Littlefield, dob: 10/09/1984, on felony charges of Murder in the 2nd Degree, two counts of Abuse or Neglect of a Child and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.*

The prosecutor's office had earlier filed child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child against the defendant; those charges were filed before the child's death.

According to court records, the mother of the 15-month child and his brother were left in Littlefield's care while their mother went to work on May 29, 2016. When she returned, she found the 15-month-old unresponsive. At Children's Mercy Hospital, physicians determined the child was suffering from non-accidental trauma, consistent with child abuse. The child suffered from severe head trauma and a lacerated liver. The defendant told police he hit the child in the head repeatedly, but only to resuscitate him. He also acknowledged he was the only person caring for the children. He returned to their mother's work to pick her up, but left the young children at home unattended.

The 15-month-old child passed away June 1, 2016 from its injuries.

Prosecutors have requested an increase in the defendant's bond, initially set at $100,000.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile: (816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.