Police: Dad smothered toddler to play video game

Attendees play video games at Microsoft’s Xbox 360 display at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP FILE PHOTO

HOMOSASSA, Florida — Sheriff’s deputies in northern Florida say a man suffocated his young, crying son so he could play video games.

Authorities say 24-year-old Cody Wygant is charged with third-degree murder and child neglect. He was being held Friday without bail at the Citrus County Jail.

Sixteen-month-old Daymeon Wygant wasn’t breathing when emergency crews arrived at the home Thursday. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

According to police, Wygant said the boy was crying uncontrollably, preventing him from playing his Xbox games. He covered the boy’s nose and mouth for three to four minutes until the boy became lethargic, then placed him in a playpen and covered him with bedding.

Deputies say Wygant didn’t check on Daymeon for five hours.

His infant daughter was placed in the care of authorities.