LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A central Pennsylvania man was sentenced last week for the death of his three-month-old baby boy.
Court records show David Strause II, 44, of Fredericksburg, Lebanon County, was sentenced to four months and just under two years in prison, and was ordered to be released once he has served the minimum sentence. The court credited him for 169 days of time served, equivalent to nearly six months.
He pled guilty to a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children in May and was sentenced Wednesday, July 22.
Meanwhile, court records show that other charges of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person were withdrawn.
Pennsylvania State Police filed charges against David and Gina Strause, 41, also of Fredericksburg, following the investigation into the baby’s death at Hershey Medical Center in May 2024, according to court documents.
Court records show Gina is currently scheduled for a jury trial in September.
The baby’s primary cause of death was due to “Complications of Asphyxia,” Troopers said in the filed criminal complaint.
It was learned throughout the investigation that when the baby was put to sleep, they would put him on his stomach on a pillow. State Police said the parents told them the baby would not sleep on his back.
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Items and a blue infant lounger noted in court documents, known to be a safety hazard for children, were in the middle of the baby’s wooden crib. The parents also had paperwork detailing proper sleeping instructions, which specified to “always put your baby to sleep on their back,” the complaint shows.
Pennsylvania Infant Safe Sleep Initiative – Voluntary Acknowledgment Statement form that describes safe sleep environments was also signed by the parents.
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