JOSHUA HUNTER DIAL - 5 months (2010) - Lexington County/Columbia SC

Lexington County Coroner Harry Harman said Thursday that Joshua
Hunter Dial of Oakey Springs Drive was pronounced dead after 2 p.m.
Wednesday at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital after suffering what
he called "subdural hemorrhage and cerebral edema as a result of blunt force, closed-head injury."
According to Lexington County deputies, the child was under the care
of his father, 18-year-old Lexie Dial III, when he suffered the fatal
injuries around 8 p.m. Tuesday. The two were at the home alone at the time of the incident.
Joshua was taken to the hospital due to his injuries Tuesday night.
He died Wednesday afternoon at Children's Hospital at Palmetto Health Richland.
Officers say the information provided by Lexie Dial to
investigators was inconsistent with the nature of the child's injuries.
Later, he told investigators that he was attempting to get his son to walk.
"When the child didn't walk, he got frustrated and grabbed the child
underneath his armpits and started shaking it very violently," says
Lexington County Sheriff James Metts.
Deputies say that Lexie Dial intentionally shook his son in a manner
that was so violent that the baby almost immediately lost consciousness
and suffered severe brain trauma.
Lexie Dial appeared before a judge Thursday where it was decided that his bond will be set at a later date in circuit court.
The case is still under investigation by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department and the coroner's office.

A teen father has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of killing his 5-month-old son.
A jury found Lexie Dial III guilty of homicide by child abuse last week, and his sentencing was Tuesday.
Dial first told investigators he fell while carrying the infant, but
officers testified he later told them he violently shook his son in
January 2010 when he became frustrated because he couldn't teach the boy to walk.
Doctors testified the baby suffered severe brain trauma that likely did not happen because of a simple fall.

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110420/WIRE/110429983/1027/opinion?Title=Lexington-teen-dad-gets-life-for-killing-5-month-old-son-