OGDEN — An Ogden man has pleaded guilty to violently punching his girlfriend's infant daughter and killing her in a fit of frustration.
Adam Joseph Barney, 24, told investigators he was caring for the baby girl while her mother was at work in August when he became frustrated and repeatedly punched 14-month-old Kenzie Rose La Buy in the stomach and head. At the time, Barney was living with his girlfriend and her children at Western Colony Inn, 234 24th St.
"Barney admitted that due to his increased frustration over the dirty living condition, the victim crying and other two children misbehaving, he lashed out at (the girl)," charges state.
Detectives testified in the case that Barney told them he had hit the girl "with everything I had," but that he didn't kill her on purpose.
Barney reportedly left Kenzie lying on a bed while he cleaned up, then noticed she seemed lethargic and was having trouble breathing when he placed her in a stroller. The girl had been dead for some time before Barney called 911.
An autopsy concluded Kenzie died of blunt force trauma to the abdomen.
Barney pleaded guilty in 2nd District Court on Wednesday to aggravated murder, a first-degree felony. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty and will recommend a sentence of 25 years to life with a possibility of parole, according to court documents.
Barney will be sentenced May 13.
Kenzie's father, James La Buy, told reporters at a hearing last month that he would prefer to see Barney behind bars than on death row.
"I think (the death penalty) is an easy way out, to tell you the truth," he said.
Email: mromero@deseretnews.com
Twitter: McKenzieRomero