Alabama dad dies before trial on death of baby found in freezer
09/03/2019 3:13 pm PDT
via WHNT:
DOTHAN, Ala. (WHNT/AP) -- Authorities in Alabama say a man awaiting trial for the death of his 6-month-old son has been found dead in his jail cell.
Carlton James Mathis was reportedly found dead Friday. State law enforcement is investigating.
Authorities say Curtis James Oakes died in Mathis' care last summer and was found days later stuffed into a Dothan motel room freezer. Court testimony showed he died after ingesting methamphetamine.
Mathis' death comes days after the baby's mother, 36-year-old Amanda Gail Oakes, pleaded guilty to charges including manslaughter and corpse abuse. Her plea was part of a deal in which she agreed to testify against Mathis at his November trial on similar charges. She was sentenced to 99 years in prison.
MORE: Dothan dad dies before trial on death of baby found in freezer - WHNT
