Minnesota Man Headed to Prison For Killing Infant Son

Fridley, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than 25 years in prison for killing his infant son.

24-year-old Aaron Rathke earlier worked out a plea agreement with prosecutors in Anoka County and admitted to a second-degree murder charge. He was accused of causing the multiple blunt force trauma injuries that claimed the life of five month old Kaiden Rathke on March 1, 2023.

The criminal complaint filed against the Fridley man says Rathke was alone with the infant when the child stopped breathing. He told investigators that he was changing his son's diaper when the baby began vomiting and then stopped breathing. The court document says he also stated that he was able to get the child to breathe again by pushing on his chest.

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According to the charges, the baby's mother approached authorities last fall and told them she blamed Rathke for her son's death. She told investigators that Rathke would place pressure on the infant’s throat so he could not breathe, and alleged that he would then "bring the child back" using chest compressions.

Rathke, was sentenced yesterday, was given credit for the 256 days he has already spent in jail. With credit for good behavior, the Minnesota Department of Corrections estimates he could be eligible for release from prison in the fall of 2040.

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