Man sentenced after 2-month-old son died; said he had 'no duty' to feed him since he was 'the father'

ELMORE COUNTY, Ala. (TCN) -- A man will spend two decades behind bars after his 2-month-old son, who prosecutors said looked like a skin-covered skeleton, died from neglect and malnourishment.

The 19th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced Sept. 18 that a judge sentenced Kristopher Matthews to 20 years. A jury previously convicted him in August of aggravated child abuse.

In imposing the sentence, Presiding Circuit Judge for the 19th Circuit Amanda Baxley addressed Matthews in court and said, "This case is horrific, and the jury’s message to me after the verdict was for all people connected to the death of this baby to be held responsible," adding, "I wish I could sentence you to more than 20 years, but the law at the time of this offense handcuffed the prosecution and handcuffs me as well. Thankfully, the legislature has updated the law to address situations like this, and I appreciate them doing so."

According to prosecutors, Matthews’ son was born weighing 6 lb., 2 oz. but died two months later "weighing substantially less." Matthews reportedly said he had never taken his son, Karson, to the doctor after he was born. He also said he "never personally fed his child and had no duty to do so since he was the father."

Authorities determined Karson died of negligence, and his death was ruled a homicide. Prosecutors said Matthews failed to provide his son with adequate nourishment and medical attention, which led to the child’s death.

District Attorney CJ Robinson said, "The photos in this case were worse than you would expect to see in a horror movie. This withered child’s body was nothing but a dirty, skin-covered skeleton."

Robinson continued, "A haunting image that no one who saw it will ever forget. Kristopher and Shirley Matthews completely destroyed the life of their baby boy by neglecting his existence until he died. No question, this is one of the hardest cases we have ever had to prosecute. The suffering and agonizing death of this baby was completely avoidable."

The victim’s mother, Shirley Matthews, was convicted in 2024 and was also sentenced to 20 years.

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