Judge OK’s plea in death of toddler

 SHEPHERDSVILLE - A man who entered a guilty plea for his role in the death of his girlfriend’s infant son will spend the next 20 years in prison.

Samuel Harris was sentenced Monday in Bullitt Circuit Court.

In his plea agreement, Harris admitted guilt to manslaughter and criminal abuse, both resulting in 10-year sentences.

The sentences would be run consecutively for a total of 20 years.

Harris was watching his girlfriend’s twin sons when he threw one of them into the sofa. Aiden Caro’s head struck a part of the couch and the boy died a few days later.

“I never meant to do this,” Harris told judge Rodney Burress.

He cried as he told Burress that it was an accident.

However, prosecutor Michael Mann said it was not an accident and it was a very serious crime.

Caro’s mother also entered a guilty plea to a pair of 2 1/2-year sentences for criminal abuse.  While not implicated in the death, the argument was that she allowed the injuries to occur.