Calloway man pleads guilty in 2023 death of toddler

A Calloway County man pleaded guilty earlier this week to murder in connection with the 2023 death of a 17-month-old toddler.

The Murray Sentinel reported 23-year-old Nathaniel Gibson pleaded guilty in Calloway Circuit Court Monday to the death of the child in 2023. 

He entered the plea under an agreement that recommends a 30-year prison sentence. A first-degree criminal abuse charge against him was dismissed as part of the agreement.

Final sentencing for Gibson will be held September 8th.

Gibson and 27-year-old Chyanne Niemeyer were arrested in October, 2023  after taking Niemeyer’s 17-month-old daughter to Murray-Calloway County Hospital with severe burns. The child was later pronounced dead.

Niemeyer's trial is scheduled to begin May 10th of next year.  A mediation for Niemeyer to make plea last week was unsuccessful. 

Gibson and Niemeyer had asked for separate trials after attorneys said the two planned to implicate each other if the cases went to trial.  

story/photos:  The Murray Sentinel