Dodge City man will go to trial in child's death

A Dodge City father will go to trial in the death of his nine-month-old son.

Jonathan Villa-Ramirez appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. He is charged in the death of the Brandon Villa.

Last july the boy was airlifted to a Wichita hospital in critical condition. He died from his injuries. During a preliminary hearing today the judge heard from detectives from both Dodge City and Wichita, a doctor who cared for the child and a forensic pathologist who talked about the boy's injuries.

"He died as a consequence of a non-accidental trauma. In other words, this has to be at the hands of someone else," said Dr. Eric Mitchell, the forensic pathologist.

The defense says the child was hurt when he fell from a washer-dryer and hit his head. The judge ruled there is enough evidence for a trial. A date for that trial has not been set.