Man gets prison term in baby’s killing

A 26-year-old Henderson man was sentenced Tuesday to 14 years to life in prison for killing his girlfriend's 16-month-old daughter.

Cody Geddings in January was convicted of second-degree murder and child neglect for the April 2010 slaying of Addison Weast.

Geddings apologized for his actions before he was sentenced by District Judge Doug Herndon.

"I'd like to apologize to Addison's family for their loss. No matter how many times I apologize for this it won't change what happened," Geddings said.

The girl's mother, Jaime Higgons, tearfully asked Herndon for the maximum sentence of 18 years to life in prison.

"She was everything to me. I am never going to be a complete person," she said, adding that the pain she felt was never going to go away.

Geddings initially said Addison fell from her crib, causing the fatal injuries. He later changed his story and said the girl was playing around his welding equipment, which included a 145-pound tank sitting on an unstable chair.

Geddings told authorities the tank fell on the girl, causing head injuries.

Instead of calling 911, Geddings called Higgons who had to travel across the valley to reach her baby.

Higgons took Addison to a local hospital, while Geddings went to help a friend fix his car.

Geddings later told police he was afraid to say what happened because he had a pending child abuse case involving his own child.

Authorities said Addison suffered from shaken baby syndrome, which they suspected caused the severe head injury.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.