Wednesday, May 28, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
The Chronicle News
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Chronicle News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Jury finds father guilty for role in 2019 death of ‘Baby Beth’

The Chronicle News by The Chronicle News
February 17, 2024
in News
0
Jury finds father guilty for role in 2019 death of 'Baby Beth'
13
SHARES
71
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
build stronger customer relationships

You might also like

MASTER Builders to hold BBQ rib fundraiser

Repairs will close I-44 ramp at Lee Boulevard

Vietnam Veterans to meet

The father of a 3-year-old girl called “Baby Beth” was held accountable by a  Comanche County jury of seven women and five men for her 2019 death.

It took the jury around two hours Friday to find Henry Clarence Lilly III, 54, guilty of felony counts of first-degree manslaughter and child abuse in Comanche County District Judge Jay Walker’s courtroom. The jury recommended he serve five years in prison for the manslaughter count and another 13 years for a charge of child abuse.

“Baby Beth” died Jan. 3, 2019, from an untreated case of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer of soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage), or bone. She had a 17-pound tumor in her stomach comprising half her body weight and was undernourished, according to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner.

District Attorney Kyle Cabelka said during his closing arguments that experts in that form of cancer testified “Baby Beth” had a very good chance of survival if Lilly and his wife, Bonnie Beth Mills-Lilly, 46, had followed a pediatrician’s advice for them to take her for testing at a pediatric hospital following a doctor’s visit the day after Thanksgiving in 2018. The mother is slated for trial for the same charges during the April/May jury trial docket.

Cabelka said it was a difficult case for everyone involved, including the jury. He noted that images of the little girl’s dead body will haunt all who saw them for far longer than the proposed sentence for Lilly.

“I am very happy with the outcome and appreciate the hard work of the jury,” he said. “We are halfway there in getting justice for ‘Baby Beth.’”

Lilly’s co-counsel, David Autry, of Oklahoma City, argued the couple’s choice of using alternative medicine, i.e. herbs, oils and enemas, for the girl’s treatment may have been a bad choice, but said it wasn’t a crime.

“Were they doing it to hurt the child?” he asked. “In their belief, mistaken as it may be, they were trying to help the child.”

Autry argued that “Baby Beth” was destined to her fate no matter the efforts her parents put in.

“The child was going to die regardless,” he said, “regardless of what Mr. Lilly could have done.”

The Lillys and their six children lived in an RV. They’d come to Oklahoma from Pennsylvania about a week before Christmas 2018 and were staying at an RV park near Lake Lawtonka when “Baby Beth” died.

In October 2018, “Baby Beth” had gotten into a large bag of Gummi Bears and eaten them. Lilly had testified he believed it caused a blockage that was causing his daughter’s malaise. When she didn’t get better through oil and herb therapy, he and his wife took her to see a pediatrician. After being referred for testing and imaging, the couple discussed their options and, ultimately, according to Lilly, he agreed with his wife to treat her with alternative medicine.

Bonnie Lilly had been institutionalized twice in 2016 and didn’t trust in doctors, according to trial testimony. Lilly testified that after a “discussion and negotiation,” he followed her lead for treatment that led to the little girl’s death three days after her third birthday.

Cabelka cited negligence was proven when Lilly left the girl’s care to his “crazy wife.” Lilly worked eight hours a day from an office in the back of the RV, would follow that up by driving to the next destination and sleep. His son, William, testified he was an “absent” father in the children’s’ lives. The district attorney placed blame through negligence on Lilly.

“He knew she was sick and did nothing,” he said. “The man did nothing, he told you that. … He wasn’t present.”

Cabelka noted that both sides agreed that “Baby Beth” first acted definitively ill in October 2018, although there were symptoms earlier, according to her brothers William and Buddy’s testimony. 

Over the last months of her life, she missed celebrating birthday parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and her final birthday due to being unable to walk due to the tumor’s size, Cabelka said. William testified her face displayed pain that appeared to “torture” the young girl. The blame goes to those who were supposed to care for and protect their child, the parents, Calbelka said.

“How many opportunities did he have to save his child’s life?” he asked. “This child did not absolutely have to die like she did.”

Cabelka closed with one request for the jury:

“Give her justice and find this man guilty.”

They did just that.

Following a pre-sentence investigation, Lilly will be formally sentenced at 9 a.m. April 12.


Want to reach a local audience and grow your business?

Our website is the perfect platform to connect with engaged readers in your local area.

Whether you're looking for banner ads, sponsored content, or custom promotions, we can tailor a package to meet your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about advertising opportunities!

CONTACT US NOW
Previous Post

Lawton Correction Facility staff terminated after inmate’s death

Next Post

LHS boys, Mac girls hosting hoops regionals

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle News

Related Posts

Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
News

MASTER Builders to hold BBQ rib fundraiser

by The Chronicle News
May 23, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
News

Repairs will close I-44 ramp at Lee Boulevard

by The Chronicle News
May 13, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
Lawton

Vietnam Veterans to meet

by The Chronicle News
May 11, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
News

A new Pope has been chosen, first American pope in history

by The Chronicle News
May 8, 2025
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband
News

VFW to meet Thursday

by The Chronicle News
April 27, 2025
Next Post
Cache woman found not guilty of killing husband

LHS boys, Mac girls hosting hoops regionals

Popular News This Week

  • Warrant issued for man accused of hit-and-run wreck

    Warrant issued for man accused of hit-and-run wreck

    45 shares
    Share 18 Tweet 11
  • Jury finds Lawton man guilty of killing girlfriend

    3 shares
    Share 1 Tweet 1
  • MASTER Builders to hold BBQ rib fundraiser

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Vietnam Veterans to meet

    5 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 1
  • Repairs will close I-44 ramp at Lee Boulevard

    4 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 1

About

Welcome to The Chronicle. The Chronicle gives you the absolute best news sources that are happening in and around Comanche County! Our news are carefully curated and constantly updated to give you the best and most recent news as soon as they happen.

Categories

  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Latest News

  • MASTER Builders to hold BBQ rib fundraiser May 23, 2025
  • Repairs will close I-44 ramp at Lee Boulevard May 13, 2025
  • Vietnam Veterans to meet May 11, 2025

© 2023 The Chronicle News

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

© 2023 The Chronicle News

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?