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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The stepdad of a toddler is facing up to 20 years after the child was found dead in Jacksonville four years ago.
Desreon Harris pled guilty yesterday to the June 2022 second-degree murder of a toddler.
It was through an Alford plea, in which he did not admit guilt but accepted his sentencing due to sufficient evidence.
Prosecutors say Harris was able to get an intentional child abuse charge dismissed.
He was sentenced to between 16 years and 20 years, 3 months behind bars and received credit for four years in jail.
On June 22, 2022, Jacksonville police were called to an apartment on Village Drive for an unresponsive two-year-old child.
Once there, officers said they tried life-saving measures and brought the child, Noah Austin, to several hospitals.
Officials say that Austin was pronounced dead three days later.
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