Court: Dad can face new charges in son’s death despite plea

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court says a man who spent five years in prison after telling police he accidentally killed his 2-year-old son with an all-terrain vehicle can face more serious charges after authorities say he confessed to beating the boy to death.

The court ruled this week that the new charges prosecutors are seeking don’t amount to double jeopardy.

An attorney for Travis Soto had argued that because prosecutors dropped involuntary manslaughter charges as part of a plea deal that they shouldn’t be allowed to file murder charges.

Soto told Putnam County authorities in 2006 he accidentally ran over his son. They say he confessed 10 years later to beating the boy at his home near Continental.

A message seeking comment on the ruling was left with his attorney.