TULSA – A Tulsa dentist has been arrested on a murder warrant in the death of a toddler who suffered a skull fracture.
A murder warrant was issued in Oklahoma County district court for Bert Franklin, 35, who was taken into custody on Wednesday by OCPD, Tulsa police officers, fugitive warrants officers, members of the FBI and U.S. Marshals
Oklahoma City police are investigating the death of 19-month-old Lincoln Lewis. They say Lewis was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital with a severe skull fracture in the back of his head on July 17. Medical staff called police to the hospital because of the severity of the injury. Investigators determined it could not have been caused by a fall.
Lincoln's mother told investigators he had fallen twice last week - once on Thursday and once on Friday. The Thursday fall resulted in a trip to a children's hospital for a laceration under his right eye. She said she had seen some spills and tumbles, and that the Friday fall "wasn't that bad," according to police reports.
Franklin told investigators the baby had been with his great aunt and uncle while he and Lincoln's mother worked on remodeling jobs. He said the baby came home at about 7:30 Saturday and was cranky and tired, according to reports. The couple reportedly showered and went to bed at about 12:30 a.m. They told investigators they woke to Lincoln sleeping with his eyes open and making a loud snoring sound.
Franklin and Lincoln's mother told investigators they rushed Lincoln to the Oklahoma City hospital by private vehicle. He was flown by medical transport to a Tulsa hospital where he died on Monday.
OKC Police investigating death of 2yo Lincoln Lewis. They say Lewis was injured there, but died in Tulsa. @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/y1DA9Hs4BU
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) July 20, 2016
Police say Franklin will be booked on a complaint of first-degree murder into the Tulsa County Jail while he awaits extradition to Oklahoma County.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
