Man Sentenced To Life After Killing His Daughter

Lincoln County Circuit Court presiding judge Sheryl Bachart sentenced Emerson Cromwell of Lincoln City to life in prison after he had been found guilty of two counts of murder in the second degree of his 15-month old daughter. In August of 2022, Cromwell was arrested by the Lincoln City Police and charged with two counts of second-degree murder by abuse, two counts of second-degree murder and single counts of first- and second-degree assault.

Judge Bachart stated that the 15-month old child was found to have suffered a very violent death at the hands of her father. The jury found that the defendant caused the injuries that led to her death. In sentencing Judge Bachart stated “The reality is that the defendant deprived the child victim of her entire life. There is absolutely no sentence the court can impose that is proportionate to the life that she deserved to live.” Judge Bachart sentenced Cromwell to life with the possibility of parole only after 25 years. He was also sentenced on related assault and manslaughter counts—to be served concurrently.

According to testimony and court records referenced at sentencing, Cromwell called 911 after the child became unresponsive. During the trial it was found that her cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The prosecution described the case as a tragic and violent loss for both the family and the community, citing medical findings and the vulnerability of the young victim. Cromwell addressed the court briefly before sentencing, maintaining that he disagrees with the state’s narrative and expressing regret that his daughter could not speak to what happened. He did not appear to show remorse or emotion over the loss off his daughter.