LEWISTOWN - A Belleville man charged in connection with the death of his 2-year-old stepdaughter pleaded guilty on Wednesday to third-degree murder.
James D. Jumper, 24, of Rockville Road, said he "pushed (Gianna Page) twice down the stairs" during a period of two days, which caused her death.
President Judge Timothy S. Searer asked Jumper why he pushed the child down the stairs.
Jumper said he was stressed about being unemployed and had been fighting with his wife, Ashleigh Jumper, the child's mother. Court documents state Ashleigh Jumper is charged with endangering the welfare of her child.
"I really don't know what caused me to do that," James Jumper added.
Jumper's attorney, David Barron, was careful in explaining to his client the possible sentence he faces, which could range from a minimum of 6 years to a maximum of 40.
Jumper said he understood that the judge will decide what the sentence will be.
Jumper was charged in the case after Mifflin County Regional Police conducted an investigation into how the the child came to be at the Lewistown Hospital with significant injuries on Jan. 22, documents indicate.
Page was brought to the hospital by Jumper, who told the attending staff that the girl suffered injuries as a result of falling down stairs in the couple's home, according to documents.
Page initially was treated at the hospital before being flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where she later died of her injuries, police said.
According to court documents, the cause of death was "blunt force trauma to the head."
The physician who supervised her treatment at Geisinger, identified as Dr. Paul Bellino, told officers at the time that "the injuries were not consistent with a fall down a flight of stairs." He said they were "consistent with child abuse," documents indicate.
On Wednesday, Mifflin County District Attorney Steven Snook said a statement Jumper provided to law enforcement as well as "his version of the the facts square with the evidence" and Bellino's assessment of what caused the child's death.
After court proceedings ended, Barron said his client was "remorseful" and the child's death was "tearing (Jumper) up inside."
Moments later, Snook left the courtroom and said the "third degree murder plea was appropriate," and Jumper deserves a significant sentence.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled and pending further court action, Jumper remains incarcerated in the Mifflin County Correctional Facility.
