An American man who got an underage girl pregnant then let their child starve to death has been jailed for four years.
Darwin Red Cloud, 26, wilfully neglected his two-month-old son Dalton until every bone sticking out of his little body was visible, a South Dakota court has heard.
Red Cloud pleaded guilty to the charge of second degree murder and was sentenced to four years in prison for the 2014 death of Dalton, KOTA TV reports.
The federal sentencing for second degree murder ranges between 17 years to 21 years' incarceration. However, the sentencing judge varied Red Cloud's sentence saying his case was closer to reckless disregard to the safety of others than it was to murder.
The court heard how Red Cloud had grown up with learning disabilities and was unable to care for a child.
It was also revealed he had a terrible record during previous jail time, where he committed assaults, sprayed disinfectant on fellow inmates and threatened staff.
Red Cloud's sister reportedly told the court she saw no signs of starvation on Dalton.
Red Cloud himself apologised saying: "I'm sorry. I'm not perfect. I'm a human being who has made mistakes," NewsCentre1 reports.
Newshub.
