đź’” Tragic Outcome in Babysitting Case
A Jackson County, West Virginia man, John Michael Tames, has formally pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in the death of a 3-month-old infant under his care. The heartbreaking plea comes after authorities determined the infant suffered catastrophic injuries while being babysat in early 2024.
đź©ą Horrific Injuries Led to Death
Court documents reveal the infant suffered skeletal fractures, brain hemorrhaging and other severe trauma that could only have been caused by significant physical violence. Deputies were first called to Tames’ home on January 5, 2024, when the baby was found in cardiac arrest. The infant was stabilized and transported to a Morgantown hospital but later died from her injuries about a month afterward.
⚖️ Sentencing Looms and Brutality Highlighted
Charges initially focused on child abuse, but prosecutors upgraded them to include second-degree murder after the baby’s death. Tames is now facing 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on February 6, 2026, in Jackson County Circuit Court. Local law enforcement described the abuse as “nothing short of brutal”, underscoring the severe nature of the case and the need for accountability in child protection.
