Father faces homicide charge in baby’s death

Kim Smith

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 10:09 a.m.

A Las Vegas man originally facing a child abuse charge is now facing a homicide charge after his 8-month-old baby was removed from life support Wednesday evening.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said an autopsy performed Thursday showed Jeremiah Lee's brain suffered severe trauma that is often caused by violent shaking.

The boy was rushed to the hospital Tuesday evening when his father, Derrick Inkton, 35, called 911 after finding him unresponsive.

Inkton was taken into custody around 4 a.m. Wednesday and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm.

Herndon said the baby was placed on life support that was ultimately disconnected when doctors determined he was brain-dead.

Inkton, who is believed to be the boy's natural father, was re-booked Wednesday night on a charge of homicide by child abuse, Herndon said. His initial appearance is scheduled for Monday before Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis.

Inkton was arrested in North Las Vegas in February on a domestic violence charge, the status of which isn't clear, Herndon said. He also has multiple felony convictions in Oklahoma.

The boy's mother was at work at the time police believe the boy was injured, Herndon said.

The baby's death is the fifth child homicide case of the year and charges are possible in two other cases that are under investigation, Herndon said.

There were five child homicide cases all of last year.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday for a woman charged late last month in the death of a 19-month-old she was babysitting.

Police believe Tarsila Chavez, 33, caused fatal injuries to Mario Chavez Nieto by shaking him violently.