Plea agreement reached in case involving 2-year-old’s death

By Jackie Valley

Friday, July 13, 2012 | 1:32 p.m.

A man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son in February could face up to 10 years in prison after reaching a plea agreement in the case.

Cory Terrell Simmons, 35, entered an Alford plea during his arraignment Friday in Clark County District Court. Under an Alford plea, Simmons maintains his innocence while acknowledging the jury would have evidence to convict

him, likely resulting in a harsher penalty.

Deputy Public Defender Dan Silverstein, representing Simmons, and prosecutors have agreed on a recommended prison sentence of two to five years for Simmons. His sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 14.

But Arraignment Court Hearing Master Melisa de la Garza told Simmons he still could face one to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Simmons has been held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center since his arrest Feb. 16.

On Feb. 16, Metro Police officers responded to the 6300 block of Rose Tree Lane in northeast Las Vegas to investigate reports of a toddler in medical distress.

Simmons, the sole caregiver at the time, initially told detectives the toddler, Orlando Morris, started choking while drinking milk, but doctors said Simmons’ version of events wasn’t consistent with their medical assessment. The boy died after transport to University Medical Center.

When detectives later interviewed Simmons, he admitted to putting his right hand on the boy’s throat and pressing down for “two to three minutes,” to quiet him, according to his arrest report. Orlando began throwing up and his arms jerked by his sides when Simmons released him, the report states.