PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island man authorities say fell asleep on top of his 7-month-old daughter and asphyxiated her has pleaded no contest to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Attorney General Peter Neronha says 40-year-old Ryan Beeley of Warwick entered the no contest plea before Superior Court Justice Daniel Procaccini on Friday.
Authorities say Beeley’s girlfriend came home in February 2017 to find him passed out on top of their 7-month daughter.
Authorities say Beeley was under the influence of drugs at the time. Neronha’s office says a toxicology report found fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs in his system.
Beeley was initially charged with second-degree murder.
The Providence Journal reports that Beeley’s lawyers declined to comment after Friday’s hearing.
Beeley will be sentenced in September.
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