A Kansas man who allegedly killed his 8-year-old daughter in May was charged on Tuesday with child sex crimes reportedly dating back as far as 2018.
According to The Wichita Eagle, Thomas Gatewood, 51, kicked, beat, and struck Jeanetta Gatewood prior to her May 6 death at their Wichita home. In addition to prior arrests for domestic violence and child abuse, Gatewood was investigated — but not charged — in Minnesota for his possible role in the 2006 case of an infant who died from meningitis but had bruises, a skull fracture, and broken ribs.
Gatewood reportedly claimed that 8-year-old Jeanetta fell, and police have not disclosed how exactly she died. In that case, he is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, child abuse, aggravated child endangerment, and intimidation of a witness or victim.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett told The Wichita Eagle that their murder investigation led them to charge Gatewood with rape of a child under 14, aggravated criminal sodomy of a child under 14, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. That victim’s relationship to Gatewood is unclear.
Bond in the latest case was set at $250,000. Hearings in both cases are scheduled for November 9.
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[Featured image: Thomas Gatewood/Sedwick County jail]
