Pollock Pines man facing 43 years in prison after found guilty of murdering six-week-old baby

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The man responsible for abusing a baby from the time he was eight days old and his death five weeks later is looking at spending the next 43 years in prison after being found guilty on March 21, 2019, in Judge Kenneth Melikian's courtroom.

Michael Swope, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder of baby Sammy as well as three counts of felony child abuse causing great bodily injury for breaking various ribs on the baby over infant's short and traumatic life.

The infant's mother, Alicia Swope, found her baby unresponsive in his crib at 11:00 a.m. on December 18, 2016. She called 911 while her husband Michael attempted CPR until the paramedics arrived.

On this last day on earth, Sammy had been fed by his mother around 4:00 a.m. After being fed she put him in his bassinet in the front room before going to sleep in her bedroom. According to the investigation, Michael got up around 6:00 a.m. with the couple's two-year-old and closed the bedroom door so his wife could sleep. He initially claimed he was being loud with his toddler so when the baby started to "grump", he carried Sammy to his crib in his bedroom.

At that time, according to Michael, he lost track of time as he gave his daughter ice cream and brownies for breakfast, and played.

When Alicia awoke and realized her son hadn't eaten in several hours she went to find out what was going on, only to find her infant's lifeless body. As there were no external signs of injury, the death was initially thought to be SIDS. An autopsy later revealed the baby had a complex skull fracture as well as severe brain injuries and multiple broken ribs amongst other injuries. Although some of the injuries were fresh, others showed signs of varying degrees of healing. These types of injuries are often associated with child abuse.

During the investigation of the baby's death, detectives learned that Michael Swope wasn't the biological father to the infant and he believed the child to be the product of an extra-marital affair. Because of this, Michael expressed animosity towards the child and had been aggressively handling the baby. On one occasion, Michael had even tossed the baby to his mother, who was six feet away. When detectives interviewed Michael, he recounted various versions of events that were inconsistent with the baby's injuries. Michael was arrested on December 29, 2016, and subsequently charged with murder. Alicia was never considered a suspect nor was she charged.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 19, 2019.