KIARA SMITH - 1 yo - Crittenden KY

A Crittenden, Ky., baby’s death was a result of
multiple blows to the head, according to the medical examiner, and the
man babysitting her was indicted for her murder Wednesday.
On Jan. 4, Kentucky State Police detectives, responded to St. Luke West
Hospital in Florence, Ky., to investigate the death of 1-year-old Kiara
Smith after a 911 call.

Douglas Barnhill, 24, who was the child’s mother’s boyfriend, had called 911
and said that the child had fallen and struck her head at his
residence.
Smith’s mother, a 17-year-old juvenile, had left the baby in Barnhill’s care
while she attended a family funeral. It was during that time, which
spanned over several hours, the child received her fatal injuries.
After the 911 call, the child was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead by the Boone County coroner.
Investigators determined that the injuries to the child were not consistent with the
statements made by Barnhill. And medical evidence during the autopsy
showed criminal actions had taken place.
Evidence gathered was presented to a Grant County grand jury Wednesday, and
Barnhill was indicted for murder. He has been arrested and lodged in
the Grant County Detention Facility under a $100,000 cash bond.



* * * *


In Grant County, Douglas Barnhill has a motion
hearing today in Grant Circuit Court on a murder charge in the death of
1-year-old Kiara Smith in January. Barnhill called 911 to report that
the baby fell and hit her head at his home, according to investigators.The
baby died at St. Luke Hospital in Florence, and investigators said an
autopsy showed that the baby died from multiple blows to the head.
Barnhill was watching the baby for his girlfriend, who was attending
the funeral of a family member.
The KSP said that they do not anticipate any further charges in the case.

Trial Of Man Accused In Toddler's Death Continues

Posted: Jan 21, 2010 8:49 AM
Updated: Jan 21, 2010 10:42 AM
http://www.lex18.com/news/trial-of-man-accused-in-toddlers-death-continues/
The trial of a Grant County man charged with killing his girlfriend's baby continued Thursday.

Police have charged Douglas Barnhill with murdering 13-month-old Kiara Smith. Barnhill originally told authorities the toddler fell and hit her head. Court records say Barnhill changed his story when questioned by police, saying he fell on the little girl.

An autopsy showed Smith had two broken bones and several injuries to her head.

Man Found Guilty In Death Of Girlfriend's Toddler

Posted: Jan 25, 2010 11:40 AM
Updated: Jan 25, 2010 11:56 AM
http://www.lex18.com/news/man-found-guilty-in-death-of-girlfriends-toddler/
A Grant County man on trial for killing his girlfriend's toddler has been found guilty in the case.

Douglas Brandon Barnhill was found guilty of murdering one-year-old Kiara Smith Friday. An autopsy showed the girl had two broken bones and several injuries to her head.

The jury in the case deliberated for less than two hours before delivering the verdict. They recommended Barnhill serve life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

he was sentenced to life - can't find the link to the story -