VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A Clark County Superior Court jury on Thursday convicted Ryan Burge of killing his girlfriend’s 5-year-old daughter while babysitting.
Jurors found Burge guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter, The Columbian reported. The jury also determined that Burge was guilty of factors that made his crime particularly egregious, including that Hartley was vulnerable and he betrayed a position of trust.
Burge showed little reaction to the verdict. His sentencing was set for March 11.
The prosecution argued that the voluminous evidence showed that Burge attacked Hartley for throwing a fit. The defense asserted that the girl had a history of self-harm and caused her own fatal injuries.
Burge, 38, was arrested over a year ago on suspicion of causing Hartley’s death. She had suffered severe head trauma and died at a Portland hospital.
Vancouver police responded about 5 p.m. Nov. 2, 2018, to the Madison Park Apartments, where emergency responders were treating Hartley’s injuries.
Nataasha Luchau called 911 about her unresponsive daughter.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.