A Missouri man already facing serious criminal charges has now been formally charged in connection with the death of his 2-month-old son, following a lengthy investigation into the infant’s 2024 death.
Adrian Horton, 29, of Parkville, has been charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, after authorities determined the infant’s passing was a homicide. Horton was already in custody on an unrelated second-degree rape charge filed in April 2025.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed late last month that Horton’s infant son, who died on November 5, 2024, had sustained injuries consistent with homicide. The child was initially hospitalized with life-threatening injuries on October 26, 2024, after officers were called to Children’s Mercy Hospital. The circumstances surrounding his death were considered suspicious at the time.
According to court documents, the infant was taken to the hospital after Horton had been alone with him for a brief period. The child’s mother told police she had gone to the restroom while Horton took the baby into another room to change his diaper. She reportedly heard Horton say, “Why are you always crying, bro?” to the baby before slamming a door.
Moments later, she heard what she described as a “loud patting noise” and Horton yelling her name. When she entered the room, she saw her son gasping for air and immediately called 911, according to KMBC.
Though the mother told investigators Horton had not previously abused the baby, she noted that he had become “increasingly more violent” and was “always frustrated or annoyed” when interacting with the child.
In his statement to police, Horton said the baby’s onesie had gotten stuck while he was changing him, causing the infant’s head to jerk backward. Horton claimed the baby vomited, prompting him to pat the child’s back in a “pretty aggressive manner.”
He also admitted to using more force than necessary, saying at one point, “I might have used a little more force than I should have.” Horton gave conflicting accounts of what happened, even claiming at one point that he attempted CPR on the baby “the adult way.”
Medical professionals reported that the infant had suffered a brain bleed with midline shift, multiple rib fractures, and a possible internal decapitation from a severe separation of cervical spinal disc injuries consistent with violent trauma.
A warrant for Horton’s arrest was issued, but records show he was already in custody as of July 23 on the separate rape charge. He is scheduled to appear in court for that case on September 3.