Montana News

Trial for Cadwell in toddler's death set for June

Posted: Feb 6, 2013 8:57 PM by Beth Beechie -MTN News

GREAT FALLS - A trial date has been set for Charles Cadwell, accused of killing a toddler in July of 2011.

If he does not enter a plea agreement first, Cadwell will go to trial on June 17th for the deliberate homicide of 1-year-old Keira Hulbert.

The defense stated the reason for delays in setting the trial date was because the court was waiting on results of an expert analysis on Cadwell's psychological state.

Cadwell has admitted shaking the 15-month old baby, which caused the fatal injuries.

(July 25, 2011) Charles Cadwell of Great Falls has been charged with deliberate homicide following the death of a 15 month old child.

Court documents state that the child's mother, Kayla Hulbert, received a phone call from Cadwell at about 2:30 pm on Friday, July 22nd, telling her that he had tripped on toys and fallen on top of the little girl, and that the child was not breathing and had blue lips.

Hulbert then called 911, and she transported the child to Benefis hospital.

The girl was not breathing when she arrived at Benefis, and initial medical reports indicate that she had subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhaging on the right side of her head; the attending physician determined that the injuries were "non-accidental."

The medical findings were inconsistent with Cadwell's assertion that the had tripped and fallen on the child; Cadwell had told detectives that the child landed on the back of her head, but the injuries were not located on the back of head.

Cadwell was then taken to the Great Falls Police Department, and during transport an officer noted the "distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage" coming from Cadwell; the officer also noted that Cadwell had bloodshot eyes.

During the interview, Cadwell said that the child was "fussing" and calling for her mother and wouldn't take a nap. Cadwell admitted that he was angry and upset, and then picked her up and admitted that he shook her. Cadwell then stated that the "infant's head hit her back and her chin hit her chest" during the violent shaking.

Following the shaking event, Cadwell clutched her to his chest; he then told police that he turned, tripped over some toys, and fell.

Cadwell maintained that it was the fall that caused the injuries to the child.

The court documents then state that the child was declared brain dead on Sunday and will not survive.

Bail for Cadwell was set at $750,000.