Arkansas – An Arkansas man has been sentenced to three decades behind bars after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his child, Caroline. The tragic incident occurred two years ago when the 6-year-old victim died from a gunshot wound to the head. Initially charged with first-degree murder, the defendant accepted a plea deal that reduced the charge to second-degree murder. The defendant initially claimed the firerarm discharged accidentaIIy, saying things like he the firearm struck his Ieg.
According to court documents, on the evening of the incident, the 45-year-old defendant, J. Chadwick, and his wife, MeIissa, were found holding their lifeless daughter, covered in bIood. The defendant claimed he was putting his daughter to bed and retrieved his gun for protection, later saying that ‘he doesn’t know what happened.’
Arkansas authorities revealed inconsistencies in the defendant’s account. Witnesses reported that he had a history of aIcohoI and drug abuse and had previously exhibited violent behavior. One witness stated that if the defendant was intoxicated or high, he always had a gun in his hand, and another recalled an incident where he put a gun to his sposue’s head.”
Further complicating the case, the defendant’s family member, MicheIIe, reported overhearing him tell his spouse that ‘they’ve got to get their stories straight,’ shortly after the fatal shooting. Additionally, the defendant made three phone calls immediately following the incident, none of which were to emergency services.
The defendant’s family member also told Arkansas authorities that the defendant and his spouse had been arguing earlier that day. According to her, the defendant’s spouse reportedly asked the man to leave her home, but he initially refused. Although he eventually left, the situation quickly escalated into tragedy.
The defendant’s spouse was on the phone with her sibling when she arrived at the defendant’s apartment. The woman reportedly told police that she heard the defendant say, ‘ to get ready’ just moments before the victim’s mom discovered her daughter unresponsive and began screaming in horror.
Michelle and her husband, Todd Merriott, soon arrived at the apartment. Both later told investigators they noticed the smell of alcohol on Jordan Chadick’s breath. Additionally, Jordan reportedly told Todd that “the gun hit my hip.” Todd informed police that, in his opinion, Jordan appeared to be under the influence of both alcohol and methamphetamine at the time.
The family member also arrived at the scene shortly afterward. She reportedly noticed a strong odor of alcohol on the defendant’s breath. The family member also told investigators he suspected that the defendant had also been using meth at the time.