Man strikes plea deal in toddler death

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) - More than a year after a toddler died from blunt force trauma, a Frankfort man is pleading guilty in the case.

Jason Bauer was charged with murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death after his girlfriend’s daughter, 1-year-old Veronica Gaeta, died in July 2011 . But as part of a plea deal, Bauer pleaded guilty to the neglect charges earlier this month. Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Sommers said if a judge accepts Bauer's plea agreement, the murder charges could be dropped at his Dec. 14 sentencing.
    
In July of last year, police and medics were called to a home on Van Buren Street in Frankfort after a report of a a child who had fallen down the stairs. Doctors determined Gaeta's injuries weren't consistent with a fall, however. Veronica later died at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Bauer was arrested in August .
    
Sommers said Bauer faces between 20 and 50 years in prison.