MUNCIE, Ind. – A Muncie man was sentenced to 72 years in prison Friday morning after he killed his infant son, then set the house on fire.
Cory Wallace, 23, was arrested in connection with the death of his 4-month-old son, Jensen, in February 2015.
He admitted to police he “accidentally” dropped the baby on a hardwood floor, and started a fire after he “freaked out” when the baby wasn’t breathing, according to the Delaware County probable cause affidavit.
Wallace is charged with five felonies including: neglect of a dependent resulting in death, arson, battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person less than 14 years old, battery on a person less than 14 years old and obstruction of justice.
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Initially investigators believed Jenson died from smoke inhalation, but an autopsy determined he died prior to the fire due to blunt force trauma to the head.
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Jenson was also found to have broken ribs and skin abrasions. When police questioned Wallace, he said there were several times when he and his wife Sheryl would argue and he would “grab” and “snatch” Jensen from her arms.
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He continued, “I don't know my own strength.”
One month after Wallace was arrested, Sheryl was charged with neglect and obstructing justice.
The affidavit stated a child abuse pediatrician at Riley Hospital for Children determined Jensen's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
