A man in Iowa was sentenced to nearly six decades in prison after he admitted to fatally beating his 2-month-old daughter and strangling his girlfriend when she tried to stop him.
Dylan James Brown pleaded guilty to child endangerment resulting in death in August, just over one year after he killed his daughter, Mia Green.
In addition to the child endangerment charge, Brown, 24, also pleaded guilty to domestic abuse assault impeding air/blood flow causing bodily injury after he attacked the child’s mother.
The Polk County Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, October 9, that Brown was sentenced to serve 58 years in prison. However, he may be released earlier as the judge determined that he will be eligible for parole after he serves at least 35 years in prison.
“Mr. Brown was 6-foot-2, 350 pounds, and he beat his child to death,” Polk County District Judge Coleman McAllister said during sentencing, per the Polk County Attorney’s office. “These crimes are not only senseless, they shock the conscious.”
An extra three years were added to his prison sentence for violating his probation in a road-rage incident that took place in 2023. Prosecutors said that he previously pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury and assault while using a dangerous weapon.
At the time of his daughter’s death, Brown hit the infant more than 40 times, according to court documents viewed by KCCI.
A pathologist testified during the trial that the girl sustained several injuries including fractures to the skull, pubic bone, ribs, clavicle and tibia, according to prosecutors.
The child’s mother intervened and tried to stop the attack, so Brown allegedly hit her on the head and then strangled her until she lost consciousness, according to WHO13.
Brown has also been ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the child’s family.
Prior to discovering his fate, his attorneys asked that he be given a minimum sentence, citing his alleged mental illness struggles and abusive childhood.
During the sentencing hearing, Brown apologized for killing his daughter.
“I would just like to apologize to everyone that I affected with this choice. A daughter. A granddaughter. A niece. A life who’s gone, and I regret that every day,” Brown said, per WHO13. “I hope that I can get the help that I need in prison, and whatever decision is made today, I plan to use that time to become a better person.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
