A Fort Riley soldier waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday morning. Alexander McConnell, 22, was set to appear in court in connection with a February 2014 case in which he is charged with murder in the first degree and child abuse following the death of a 5-week-old baby.
An affidavit received by KMAN indicates the infant involved in the incident sustained substantial bleeding within the skull, abrasions on the head, neck and chest, a bruised lung, and a broken neck. Doctors concluded that the child’s injuries resulted from excessive force and were severe enough to cause the death of the infant.
McConnell’s arraignment date was set for March 23 at 2:30 p.m. where he will appear in front of Judge Meryl Wilson.