Man pleads guilty in death of girlfriend’s child
A Las Vegas man who nearly two years ago staged a car accident to cover up the death of one of his former girlfriend’s children pleaded guilty to second-degree murder by child abuse today.
Trevor John Carter, 23, could face life in prison after pleading guilty before District Judge Douglas Herndon, and also pleading guilty to three additional felony child abuse counts.
He won’t be eligible for parole for at least 12 years, according to the plea agreement worked out by prosecutor Vickie Monroe and Deputy Public Defender Norm Reed.
The child's mother, Amber Scott, 26, faces three charges related to child abuse. Her trial is expected to start in December.
Carter crashed his car in the desert near Losee Road, about a mile from the Las Vegas Beltway, one week before Christmas 2007.
He told officers he wrecked in a ravine while racing 4-year-old Trenton Quick to the hospital after noticing blood in the toddler’s mouth. Carter told police he took Trenton and a sibling out to target shoot.
From the start, North Las Vegas police doubted Carter’s story. An autopsy verified their suspicions. The Clark County coroner's office determined Quick died from blunt trauma to his abdominal area and was a victim of prolonged child abuse.
Contact reporter Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.
