A Gary father who pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in the death of his 3-month-old son wrote two letters to the judge in which he said he didn’t know his malnourished baby was in danger of dying.
Lake Superior Court Judge Samuel Cappas said the two letters he received from Jarod McMillan, who pleaded guilty Feb, 23, seemed to indicate that he had no knowledge of the dire condition his son was in before his death on July 5. The baby, who gained 4 ounces during his lifetime, had severe burns in his groin area, appeared dirty, and was skinny to the point his ribs were visible, court records state.
“My inclination is to reject this plea agreement and to set this matter for trial,” Cappas said.
McMillan, 32, said in the letters that he “did not think he (Kannon McMillan) was in danger of dying. Your honor, I had no intention of this happening and this is the honest to God truth,” Cappas said as he read snippets from the letters. The letters also said that Kannon showed no signs of being ill. “It was not intentional. Please, your honor, spare me of going to prison,” Cappas said during a 40-minute hearing on Tuesday.
During the hearing, McMillan said he felt that Kannon would start gaining weight if he continued to feed him, just like his other two sons who he said were “born early and small” and now are healthy boys.
Cappas said that a guilty plea to the lead charge would require McMillan to admit he knowingly or intentionally deprived Kannon of the necessary support, which resulted in the baby’s death.
Eventually, McMillan admitted that when he looked back at the situation, he knew the baby was in distress and needed medical help.
McMillan told the judge he wasn’t “trying to pull out of the plea,” but was seeking leniency.
Cappas said the plea agreement would be under advisement. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 11.
Holmes, 28, pleaded guilty to the same offenses. Her sentencing hearing is April 12.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
