Oklahoma man beat his girlfriend up while she was pregnant – then murdered their baby son after he was born, prosecutors say
- Hunter Smiley, 25, of Oklahoma is charged with murder in the killing of his nine-month-old son
- The baby became unresponsive and was hospitalized with brain bleeds and eye bleeds. He died of his injuries two days after being admitted to hospital.
- Smiley, arrested at gunpoint, now faces a first-degree murder charge and a $5 million bond, a “restraining order”; with his next court date set for May 22
An Oklahoma man beat his girlfriend while she was pregnant and then killed their son 10 months after his birth, prosecutors allege.
Hunter Smiley, 25, had already been arrested by police in January 2023 for beating up the child’s mother, who DailyMail.com is not naming, while she was still pregnant with their unborn son.
At the time, Smiley was charged with domestic violence and assault against a pregnant woman.
He pleaded guilty to hitting the mother using pieces of a door he broke during a fight after a night of drinking.
But Smiley has since allegedly murdered the child – an adorable boy named Briggs – just ten months after the child was born.
25-year-old Hunter Smiley from Oklahoma is charged with murder for killing his nine-month-old baby
Briggs was found unresponsive and was hospitalized with brain hemorrhages and eye hemorrhages
The baby died from his injuries two days after being admitted to hospital
Newcastle Police were called to the home on April 10 after receiving a call about the baby who was unresponsive at the time.
Briggs was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Doctors discovered that the child had internal bleeding in the brain and bleeding behind the eyes.
The baby subsequently died from his injuries just two days later on April 12.
Smiley was home when agents from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation arrived. Officers also found a gun on Smiley upon arrival.
Smiley was arrested April 15 and booked into the McClain County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder.
Smiley, arrested at gunpoint, now faces a first-degree murder charge and a $5 million bond, a “restraining order”; with his next court date set for May 22
The boy’s mother was beaten by Smiley in January 2023 while she was still pregnant with their son
Court documents show a restraining order was issued against Smiley, but the mother later requested the order be lifted
The baby’s mother asked for the ‘no contact’ order to be lifted so Smiley could be ‘involved in the birth of his child’
Police were called to the family home after baby Briggs was found unresponsive
Court documents show a protective order was issued against Smiley, but the mother later requested the order be lifted so Smiley could be “involved in the birth of his child.”
Smiley had undergone counseling after the incident in January 2023.
“It’s tragic when someone’s life is taken so early,” said District Attorney Greg Mashburn KFOR.
“We will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law, to be the voice of this victim who cannot speak for herself. Thank you to Newcastle Police and the OSBI for your hard work on this case so we can seek justice for BS’
Smiley has been charged but remains in custody and bail has been set at $5 million.
He has been ordered to have no contact with the victim’s family.
Officials say Smiley’s next court hearing will take place at a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 22.