Father Sentenced In Toddler's Death

OXON HILL, MD — A father has been sentenced in the death of his 2-year-old child that happened in January 2024.

Prince George's police officers were called to an apartment located in the 5400 block of Livingston Terrace June 9 around 3:40 a.m. where they found the toddler unresponsive.

According to charging documents, 32-year-old Lance Harrison, the father of 2-year-old Kayceson Barkley, said his son fell down some steps inside their Fort Washington home. That's what caused him to suffer severe injuries and led to his death, Harrison told authorities.

Court documents said the toddler's body was "cold and lifeless" when he was rushed to a Washington, D.C., hospital. An exam showed that Barkley had suffered a fractured skill, fractured ribs, internal bleeding, hemorrhaging and lots of bruising around his head and upper body areas.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the child suffered numerous traumatic injuries not consistent with an accident, according to the Prince George's Office of the State's Attorney.

At the time of the child’s death, Lance Harrison Jr. was the only other person inside the home.

Harrison has been convicted of first-degree child abuse resulting in death.

The court sentenced him to life in prison, it was announced Friday.

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