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Benton Harbor man awaits sentencing in death of 8-month-old boy

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ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (AP) — A 31-year-old southwestern Michigan is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to murder in the death of an 8-month-old boy.

The Herald-Palladium reports Brandon Beshires entered the plea Monday to first-degree murder in the February death of Carter Donovan, who died of severe head injuries. The Benton Harbor man had been expected to face trial next year. Sentencing is Jan. 30.

His lawyer, Donald Sappanos, says the plea was against his advice and asked to withdraw from the case.

Carter suffered head injuries while his mother was at a doctor’s appointment in Coloma, southwest of Grand Rapids Authorities say Beshires was with the child for 90 minutes. After the mother returned to the vehicle they drove Carter to a hospital.

Sappanos says Beshires was the mother’s boyfriend at the time.