Ex-soldier pleads guilty in infant stepson’s death

A former Fort Carson soldier will serve 32 years in prison after pleading guilty in the death of his 10-month-old stepson.

Zachary Ryan Doggett pleaded guilty to fatal child abuse on Wednesday under a plea agreement with prosecutors. The Gazette reported that Doggett’s voice cracked as he told the judge the decision to plead guilty was “mine and mine alone.”

Police were called to the family’s home Aug. 25 and said they found the baby unconscious, with numerous bruises and a fractured skull.

In court, Doggett didn’t acknowledge harming his stepson. He said he had “permitted” the child to be placed in position where the boy could be injured and didn’t call for help.

Doggett was in the Army when he was arrested but has since left.