A former Lancaster man will serve up to 36 years in prison for killing his young son, who was shaken in 2009 and died two years ago.
Antonio Flores-Feliciano was originally convicted in 2012 of aggravated assault and related charges for seriously injuring Addiel Flores in 2009. Addiel, two months old at the time of the abuse, had been unresponsive since – until he died at Reading Hospital at age 8.
Lancaster city police, aided by medical professionals, determined Flores-Feliciano was alone with the child when he sustained the permanent injuries.
In Lancaster County Court Monday morning, Flores-Feliciano, now 36, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in exchange for a sentence of 18 to 36 years in prison.
Police filed a homicide charge after Addiel died on Oct. 25, 2017. The previous trial conviction merges with the recent plea and sentence; Flores-Feliciano will get credit for the prison time he has served since June 30, 2011.
Addiel’s mother, who cared for her son around-the-clock since the incident, watched Monday from the courtroom gallery. She wept as Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman read aloud the facts of the case.
When Lancaster County Judger Jeffery Wright asked Flores-Feliciano if he had anything to say regarding what happened, Flores-Feliciano said, through an interpreter, “An apology.”
“Is that all?” Judge Wright asked. Flores-Feliciano confirmed that was all he had to say.
Lancaster city police Detective Aaron Harnish, who filed charges, and Officer Jessica Higgins, who assisted in the investigation, were also in court for the hearing.
A Berks County forensic pathologist who performed Addiel’s autopsy determined he died of head and brain trauma due to Shaken Baby Syndrome and Shaken Impact Syndrome.
Flores-Felicano was the sole caregiver when the injuries were inflicted at a South Christian Street home. Doctors testified at trial that the baby was injured in a series of "violent shakings."
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright