OKLAHOMA CITY – New video evidence was presented in the investigation of a Tulsa dentist accused of killing a toddler.
Bert Franklin, 35, was arrested after authorities linked him to the death of 19-month-old Lincoln Lewis.
Lewis was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital with a severe skull fracture in the back of his head on July 17.
Due to the severity of his injuries, investigators determined it could not have been caused by a fall. Eventually Lewis was flown by medical transport to a Tulsa hospital where he later died.
The video shown in court by prosecutors this week is said to be home surveillance taken not long before Lewis died, reports KFOR.
The footage shows Franklin, reports KFOR, walking down the stairs in the home with Lewis in his arms. At first, the boy appears to be fine and is even sitting up.
Then Franklin goes into the kitchen with Lewis, where it is difficult to determine what exactly is happening.
KFOR reports that an Oklahoma City detective testified during a hearing Wednesday saying the video shows Franklin slamming Lewis head first into the ground and later kicking a spot on the ground.
After a few moments, Franklin can be seen carrying what appears to be a limp child on one arm as he grabs a piece of pizza.
According to Lewis’ mother, she heard a loud thud but when she came downstairs, Franklin just said he was throwing a ball for the dog. It wasn’t until 2 a.m. that morning that the mother noticed Lewis was having trouble breathing.
The prosecution argued that Franklin hurt Lewis because his mother had been spending time with the child’s biological father.
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Eventually, District Judge Cindy Truong denied Franklin’s bond, calling him a danger to the community, reports KFOR.
