A Burkburnett man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the manslaughter of his 8-month-old daughter, who drowned while he was playing video games, court records show.
Case Details
- Defendant: Justin Ray Kidwell, 21
- Victim: Lexus Sky Cora Kidwell (8 months old)
- Date of Incident: May 14, 2023
- Location: Burkburnett, Texas
- Sentencing: 18 years in prison under a plea bargain deal
- Judge: 30th District Judge Jeff McKnight
What Happened?
According to a Texas Ranger report, Kidwell:
- Left the baby alone in the bathtub
- Went to another room to get his gaming headset and talk to a friend online
- Played a video game for about 20 minutes before discovering the baby face down in the water
Initially, Kidwell told investigators he had only left the baby alone for 30 seconds to five minutes, but further evidence showed it was closer to 20 minutes.
Charges & Sentencing
- Originally charged with: Child endangerment, later upgraded to murder
- Final conviction: Manslaughter (via plea deal)
Maximum sentences:
- Manslaughter: Up to 20 years
- Murder: Up to life in prison
Plea Bargain Agreement
As part of the plea deal:
- Murder charge was reduced to manslaughter
- Kidwell will serve 18 years in prison
- He will receive credit for 362 days served in Wichita County Jail
Previous Child Endangerment Case
Court records also show that in December 2022, Kidwell pleaded guilty to abandoning or endangering a child in a separate, unrelated case involving a different child.
Justice for Lexus Sky Cora Kidwell
The tragic drowning of 8-month-old Lexus highlights the serious consequences of child neglect. While Kidwell avoided a life sentence, he will spend nearly two decades behind bars for his actions.