news-record.com

LEXINGTON (MCT) — A man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a 21-month-old baby who died last November.

Travis Christopher Lemmond, 20, was taken into custody Feb. 8 by sheriff's detectives with assistance from the Union County Sheriff's Office at his home in the Union County town of Mineral Springs.

He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury in the death of Lily Grace Crowell. He was taken back to Davidson County, where he was processed and jailed without bond.

The charges Lemmond faces stem from Nov. 20, when deputies were called to the Lexington Memorial Hospital emergency department in reference to a 21-month-old child who had been brought in and pronounced dead on arrival.

Doctors unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate the child, and detectives were called to the hospital shortly after the original report to begin an investigation into the child's death, which occurred at a Meadowcreek Drive apartment in Lexington, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives conducted interviews with several family members and collected evidence. The child's body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill for an autopsy.

Under the guilty plea, Lemmond faces only a second-degree murder charge, according to WXII-12 News. The chid abuse charge was dropped, the television station reported.

Lily's relative, Donna Prow, told WXII-12 News that Lemmond shouldn't be allowed to plead guilty to lesser charges.

"As Lily's family, we want there to be a voice for her. She deserves that," Prow said.

Lemmond has been out of jail after posting a $150,00 bond. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30.

Lily's mother and Lemmond are still together, WXII-12 News reported.