PARKERSBURG - A Parkersburg man facing charges related to the death of a toddler pleaded guilty to drug and theft charges earlier this week.
Matthew Lamp, 29, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of possession of a controlled substance and petit larceny, according to Wood County Magistrate Court records.
Magistrate Donna Jackson sentenced him to two concurrent 90-day terms in jail and fines and court fees. Lamp's plea stems from arrests in September 2011. Court officials said Lamp remains incarcerated at the North Central Regional Jail.
"He was already in custody," a magistrate court official said.
Lamp has been jailed since early October, charged with the death of a 3-year-old boy in his care. That case has been bound over to Wood County Circuit Court. Lamp faces 10-to-40 years in prison if convicted.
The toddler, identified as "D.K." in the criminal complaint, was fatally injured in October at the 32nd Street home of his mother. The child was taken to Camden Clark Medical Center and later taken by medical helicopter to Morgantown where he passed away a few days later.
Detectives from the police department and Child Protective Services were called by Camden Clark personnel.
Lamp is believed to be the boyfriend of the child's biological mother, according to police. Parkersburg police Sgt. Greg Collins said the mother's initial statement was the child's injury was accidental.
Collins said additional interviews have been conducted, but he would not say if the woman's statements changed. Collins also would not say if the toddler's mother was at home at the time of the incident.
Collins said officials are still waiting on autopsy results.
"That will promulgate a decision regarding additional prosecution," Collins said. "(Lamp's) status is what it is. It won't change."
Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Jason Wharton said there were no updates on the case.
Prior to the charges surrounding the death of the toddler, Lamp previously had been charged with 28 offenses, dating back more than a decade. The majority of those offenses were for possession, contributing to a minor, obstructing, escape, petit larceny and breaking and entering.
