S.C. man gets life in prison for killing his 5-year-old son, who was 'covered in bruises'

COLUMBIA, S.C. (TCD) -- A father will spend the rest of his life in prison after his young son was found dead in their home in 2019.

In a statement, the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced Michael Gamble was found guilty on June 16 of homicide by child abuse for the death of his 5-year-old son, Jaiden Hammond. The jury deliberated for an hour before finding Gamble guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to the Solicitor’s Office, on Jan. 22, 2019, EMS responded to Gamble’s home regarding an unresponsive child. Paramedics tried resuscitating the little boy, who was already showing signs of rigor. They transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Jaiden was reportedly "covered in bruises" all over his body, including on his hip, torso, cheeks, back, and chin.

Gamble allegedly provided "multiple versions" of what happened, but Gamble’s girlfriend reportedly said she heard him "beating the child with a belt around midnight for about 10 minutes because he had been acting up on the bus the previous day."

The autopsy reportedly showed Jaiden suffered subdural hematomas and brain injuries. The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy testified during Gamble’s trial and noted the injuries "happened within two hours of his death."

Additionally, the pathologist said Jaiden’s head injury "would have caused immediate effects, rendering the child unresponsive within an hour of the fatal blow."

Gamble reportedly took cellphone video of Jaiden saying he would call 911, but Gamble reportedly "coached his son on what to say if anyone asked if he was beaten at his house."

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