For Immediate Release

March 18, 2021

A 40-year-old Kansas City man has been charged in connection with the homicide of a nearly 4-month old child who suffered mutliple skull fractures and other trauma-related injuries, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

 Matthew Beck, dob: 10/27/1980, faces a charge of Murder 2nd Degree.* 

In addition, the child's grandmother, Carly George, dob: 7/8/1982, faces a felony charge of Hindering Prosecution of a Felony.*

In a statement issued today, Baker said:  "The death of this child is an awful tragedy and horrible crime. The heart wrenching nature may lead us to feel despair. I hope any despair prompts us to report and protect kids from abuse. The link below provides COMBAT-funded assistance in our community."

Check this link on parenting resources.

According to court records filed over the weekend, Kansas City police officers were dispatched on the morning of March 9, 2021, to the 5400 block of Harrison Street in Kansas City on a reported infant not breathing. The defendant told police the child had been sick and at 3 a.m. the child was breathing. At 6 a.m., the child was bluish and not breathing. Police noted injuries to the child not consistent with a natural death. At the hospital, it was determined the child had suffered life-threatening physical trauma, including a forehead contusion, multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed and chest trauma. 

Prosecutors requested a cash bond of $500,000 for Beck and $100,000 cash for George.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.