Kansas dad sentenced for starving 2-year-old daughter to death because he was drunk

TOPEKA, Kansas (TCD) -- A 47-year-old man will likely spend the next several decades in prison after a judge sentenced him to nearly 57 years behind bars for the 2021 death of his 2-year-old daughter.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Jeffrey Exon was sentenced to 56 years and 11 months in prison after he was convicted in April of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, aggravated child endangerment, reckless but unintentional second-degree murder, and failure by a parent to report the death of a child in connection.

Deputy District Attorney Bethany Lee said during Exon’s trial that Exon was "intoxicated and passed out in his bed for days on end," which led to Aurora’s death.

According to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office, on Jan. 5, 2021, at around 10 a.m., law enforcement officials responded to 3501 SW 10th St. after receiving a call about an unresponsive child. When they arrived, they located Exon’s 2-year-old daughter, Aurora, "unresponsive, cold to the touch, with an appearance that she had been dead for several days."

The District Attorney’s Office said Aurora was last seen alive Dec. 26, 2020.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Aurora died from malnutrition, though when Exon called 911 on Jan. 5, he reportedly said his daughter was "starving herself."

Aurora’s brother spoke at Exon’s trial and said their father kept them in their room for days on end and did not give them anything to eat because he was sleeping. When officials searched the home, they reportedly found multiple empty alcohol bottles in Exon’s room, the Topeka Capital-Journal reports.

The affidavit cited by the Topeka Capital-Journal says Aurora "appeared to be in rigor mortis, stiffening of muscles which usually sets in 12 hours after death."

Several people, including Exon’s brother, testified at a preliminary hearing that Exon had drinking problems. His ex-fiancée said Exon would "forget" to feed his children and care for them.

MORE:

• His daughter, 2, died of malnutrition. Jeffrey J. Exon is sentenced to 56 years, 11 months - Topeka Capital-Journal
• Kansas dad convicted of killing malnourished daughter because he was passed out drunk, 4/14/2023 - TCD
• Exon - Homicide & Child Endangerment Charges, 3/20/2021 - Shawnee County District Attorney's Office
• Jury convicts Topekan prosecutor said was passed out drunk as daughter died of malnutrition, 4/11/2023 - Topeka Capital-Journal
• Pathologist: 2-year-old Topekan died of malnutrition resulting from father's negligence, 6/17/2021 - Topeka Capital-Journal