BRADENTON – David Vickers’ future will be announced on May 20 after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and neglect of a child with great bodily harm in the death of 17-month-old Luca Sholey on Aug. 21, 2017, in Holmes Beach. The crimes carry a minimum sentence of life with a chance of prison release possible. The maximum is life without a chance of release.
According to the police report, EMS responded to call of a child not breathing and unresponsive. He was taken to Blake Medical Center and then airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died. The cause of death was asphyxiation, according to the police report. There were indications that the child suffered respiratory distress plus broken ribs and laceration of the lips and mouth.
Vickers was the babysitter for the child while the mother, Melissa Sholey, worked. The report said Vickers was often alone with the child.
The prosecution is seeking the maximum sentence.
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