The Latest
Tyler Linebarger pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to second-degree murder and two counts of felony child abuse related to the 2015 death of a seven-month-old baby.
Linebarger was sentenced to 30 years in prison following his plea.
“Any case involving a child victim is an extremely difficult case to investigate. The emotional strain and stress endured by the family during and after the investigation is beyond imaginable. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they continue to grieve the loss of Jamar, but we hope this guilty plea will provide a pathway for healing,” says Newton Police Chief Don Brown. “The investigating officers and other personnel involved did a tremendous job investigating and building a solid case against Mr. Linebarger. This case is a good example of the cooperation and great working relationships built between the Newton Police Department and other agencies within Catawba County and across the state.”
Original Story From Jan. 2, 2015
NEWTON, NC — Late Thursday, WCCB Charlotte learned the baby abused on New Year’s Eve has died at Levine Children’s Hospital.
Doctors described the abuse as “horrific trauma” and say it may have been going on for a while.
Photos show a seemingly happy couple: Tyler Linebarger and his girlfriend Amber Estep. Now, Linebarger is in jail without bond after police accused him of killing her seven-month-old baby, Chekeem Jamar Hickman, Jr.
“A child doesn’t have a choice,” said Christy Robinson. “It can’t defend itself. It can’t fight for itself. It can’t say, ‘I’m hurting.'”
A mom herself, Robinson and her husband, Lambert Robinson, were oblivious to possible child abuse next door until New Year’s morning.
“There’s like cop cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and I’m like, ‘What is this?'” said Robinson. “So, I jump up out the bed.”
When police showed up, they say Linebarger told officers he left the baby asleep on the couch. He went upstairs to shower. When he came down, the baby was lying on the floor. He picked the baby up, put him back on the couch, went back upstairs. When he returned, he told investigators the baby was blue and not breathing.
Police say Linebarger ran next door to call 911.
When doctors took the baby into surgery, they say he didn’t just have severe internal injuries, he had older injuries in various stages of healing.
“For the first seven months of its life… God I can’t, I can’t, I can’t,” said Robinson. “We can’t even wrap our minds around that.”
Once doctors revealed the severity of the abuse, officers questioned Linebarger. They say he wouldn’t admit to anything, only asked for a lawyer.
They arrested him because they say he was the only one watching his girlfriend’s baby when the infant stopped breathing.
“It makes you feel angry that you would take the innocence of a child and hurt them,” said Lambert Robinson.
Police say Estep’s second child is staying with family members. Police are investigating to find out if more charges will be filed. We will keep you updated.
