Man Convicted of Kidnapping, Killing Toddler Daughter Tells Decide He Thought He Was ‘Doing One thing Good’

Jonathan Baker, 24, was discovered responsible by a jury on October 4 on fees of aggravated homicide and kidnapping with a gun specification, per The Advertiser-Tribune.

In court docket on Monday, Seneca County Widespread Pleas Courtroom Decide Damon Alt handed down a life sentence with out the potential of parole for the homicide cost, as reported by Toledo, Ohio CBS affiliate WTOL.

Baker was moreover sentenced to 16.5 years on the kidnapping fees, and three extra years for the firearms specification. He may even obtain credit score for the 472 days he has already spent in jail. He’ll serve out his sentence on the Lorain Correctional Establishment.

June 27, 2023 proved to be the ultimate day of younger Emery’s life after she was kidnapped from her mom’s dwelling by her father, Baker. He took off in a vivid yellow Camaro, which was noticed shortly after by an off-duty police officer in Tiffin.

That officer adopted the car, holding different regulation enforcement personnel within the loop on the place Baker was going. There was no clear indication at the moment the place Emery is perhaps, per Legislation & Crime.

In a press launch shared to the Tiffin Police Division Fb web page, officers mentioned, “The male topic had indicated he was feeling homicidal and suicidal and had made an announcement to the kid’s mom that he killed the child.”

Baker was reportedly capable of evade preliminary makes an attempt to cease his car by Seneca County Sheriff’s Workplace deputies, in addition to native officers. Ultimately, he stopped himself.

“The Camaro started accelerating and at a excessive price of pace, erratically drove off the roadway by the entrance yard of 1 residence and crashing into one other residence, knocking it off its basis,” mentioned police in a second assertion on June 28.

After the crash, police reported they had been capable of take away the suspect and toddler from the car. Emery was reportedly alive when extricated from the car, however shortly thereafter died from her accidents. Officers mentioned she “was bleeding from the top and had labored respiration.”

An post-mortem on the toddler revealed she had been shot twice, in keeping with WTOL. Baker suffered vital accidents within the crash, however was taken to an space hospital and recovered.

After Baker’s arrest, police launched the 9-1-1 name the place the North Baltimore Police Chief responded to what was described as a home dispute the place Baker was homicidal and suicidal, threatening the kid’s life, per ABC affiliate WTVG.

Audio from the decision features a second the place Baker had referred to as the kid’s mom whereas on the run. A 3rd man on the decision, who has not been recognized, allowed 9-1-1 dispatchers to listen to that decision, resulting in their recording of it.

Within the name, the suspect is purportedly heard telling the mom, “Something you’d prefer to say to me earlier than I say my goodbyes?” The mom might be heard pleading for her child’s life, whereas the suspect claimed to have already killed the kid, per the outlet.

Showing in court docket on Monday earlier than his sentence was learn out, the Sentinel-Tribune reviews that Baker mentioned that killing his daughter was “fully evil.”

“I actually thought that day I used to be doing one thing good,” he mentioned in court docket, per the newspaper, arguing that there was a illness in his thoughts as a result of he hadn’t discovered God but at that time in his life.

He mentioned what occurred that day was “completely horrible,” per the outlet, after which mentioned, “This may occur to anyone anytime.” He went on to say that unhealthy issues are occurring on this planet as a result of folks do not have God, per the Sentinel-Tribune.

Baker had initially pleaded not responsible by purpose of madness, however a jury had discounted that protection. His lawyer, Christopher Bucio, mentioned that he did not consider Baker wakened desiring to commit this crime.

“The thoughts is a difficult factor,” he mentioned, per the information outlet. “Mr. Baker’s thoughts was not okay on the day in query. The defendant confirmed regret by not testifying at trial and never combating the fees.” He requested for a sentence that was not life.

Wooden County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Boos, who tried the case alongside Seneca County prosecutors, discounted Baker’s feedback, in addition to the arguments of his protection. As a substitute, he argued that the defendant had proven no real regret, saying he shot his daughter twice within the head at shut vary solely to harm the mom.

“That could be a degree of evil that’s not often seen,” he added, pushing for the utmost doable sentence.

Chatting with the choose, Baker requested for mercy, however mentioned he wouldn’t refute no matter alternative was made.

“Mr. Baker, you murdered your daughter,” Decide Alt advised him on Monday, per the Sentinel-Tribune. “All through the day you had been afforded each alternative to forestall that crime from occurring.”

“She was defenseless and trusted you to guard her and as an alternative you took her life,” he continued, calling it a “mindless act.” He agreed with the prosecution that the court docket had seen no real regret from Baker, and even argued that Baker’s statements in court docket that day minimized his actions.

A sufferer’s advocate learn out an announcement from Emery’s mom. “The day Baker took her little life, I died slightly as properly,” the advocate learn.

They went on to emphasise, “She struggles each time she hears a child cry or in misery, however she just isn’t a sufferer, she is a survivor. Her daughter, Emery, was all the time pleased, laughing and cooing, having fun with tummy time or bouncing in her bouncy seat.”

“She’s going to by no means be capable of watch Emery develop into a lady, fall in love, decide her profession, develop previous and have her family to cherish,” the advocate continued. “however Emery is trying down from Heaven and by no means has to surprise why her father is so evil.”