FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Statesville man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison in connection with the 2019 death of a 2-year-old boy.

Jordan Hoyt Simmons, 31, entered an Alford plea in Iredell County Superior Court on December 12 to a charge of second-degree murder stemming from the death of Sevynn Nashir Clark. In an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit to committing the crime but agrees that the prosecution has enough evidence to obtain a conviction.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Joseph Crosswhite accepted the plea and ordered Simmons to serve 125 months to 164 months in prison.

 Assistant District Attorney Carrie Nitzu prosecuted the case.

The Statesville Police Department began investigating on September 5, 2019, after officers were dispatched to a home at 1203 Alexander Street for a report of an unresponsive child.

After arriving at the scene, officers spoke with Simmons, who was identified as the child’s stepfather, according to an SPD news release.

Simmons reported that he had taken the child on a motorcycle ride earlier that day, which resulted in an accident, police said. After returning home, Simmons said he placed the child in a bathtub filled with water before briefly leaving the premises. When he returned, he told officers he discovered the child unresponsive in the bathtub, according to the news release.

Two-year-old Sevynn passed away after being transported to Iredell Memorial Hospital.

During the ensuing investigation, SPD detectives obtained evidence suggesting that the child’s injuries were inconsistent with the initial account provided by Simmons, according to the news release.

Simmons was arrested on October 16, 2019, and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse with serious injury.

The Statesville Police Department expressed its gratitude to District Attorney Sarah Kirkman and the entire District Attorney’s Office for their dedication and commitment to seeking justice and closure for the family and community affected by this tragedy.