Frankfort man pleads guilty to neglect charges resulting in a toddler's death

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) - More than a year after a toddler died from blunt force trauma, a Frankfort man is pleading guilty.

Jason Bauer was charged with murder and neglect after 1-year-old Veronica Gaeta died in July of 2011. Earlier this month, Bauer pleaded guilty to the neglect charges. Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Sommers said if a judge accepts Bauer's plea agreement, the murder charges could be dropped at his Dec. 14 sentencing.
    
In July of last year, police and medics were called to a home on Van Buren Street for a child who had fallen down the stairs. Doctors determined Gaeta's injuries weren't consistent with a fall. Veronica later died at Riley Hospital for Children.
    
Sommers said Bauer faces between 20 to 50 years for the "neglect of a dependent resulting in death" charge.