A Hickory man will serve 15 to 19 years in prison following his guilty plea in Catawba County Superior Court to second degree murder.
35 year old Lucas Shayne Scronce entered the guilty plea for his involvement in the February 2024, death of his 16-month-old daughter.
An autopsy report showed that the infant female died of fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.
Authorities said the defendant claimed to be asleep during the time the child may have died, and he admitted that there was open and frequent drug use in the residence on a regular basis. Scronce also told investigators that he had used fentanyl prior to giving the child a bottle at some point prior to its death.
During a search of the residence, deputies located and observed a large bag with powder in it along with numerous items of drug paraphernalia. They also observed unsafe living conditions in the home, noting drugs and paraphernalia at various locations throughout the residence.
