Gentry man gets five years for role in son’s death
BENTONVILLE — A Gentry man was sentenced Thursday to 5 years in prison for his role in his son’s death.
Austin Moss, 23, pleaded guilty in July to manslaughter, a Class C felony which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 10 years.
He appeared in court Thursday for his sentencing.
Moss pleaded guilty and agreed to testify at his former wife’s trial. Prosecutors agreed to give Moss a sentence lesser than the one his former wife received.
Jennifer Moss was sentenced to 6 years in prison last month after a jury found her guilty of endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree. However, the jury could not reach a decision on manslaughter. She then agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 6 years in prison for that charge.
The sentences will be served concurrently which means Jennifer Moss must serve 6 years in prison.
Brynna Barnica, deputy prosecutor, recommended during Thursday’s hearing that Austin Moss receives a 5 year prison sentence.
Firefighters and police were sent to 300 Meadow Court, No. 8, in Siloam Springs on Jan. 25, 2015, for a report of a baby who had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. The baby’s body was sent to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy. Preliminary results showed the cause of death was asphyxia due to co-sleeping, according to court documents.
Austin Moss said he and Jennifer Moss used methamphetamine for days prior to their son’s death and didn’t get any sleep. Austin Moss also said they smoked marijuana to try to sleep the night before their son’s death.
The couple slept on two love seats pulled together. Their son, Andrew, slept with them, Austin Moss said.
The judge followed the recommendation and sentenced Moss to 5 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Austin Moss was also ordered to complete 12 hours of parenting class while in prison or after his release.
He was taken into custody and transported to the Benton County Jail.