Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced today that Rachin McCoy (DOB: 12/31/87) was sentenced to life in prison for the 2009 murder of his 48 day old daughter.
McCoy, whose last known address was 90 Girard Avenue, Newport, pled guilty to one count of second degree murder on July 7, 2011 before Superior Court Justice Melanie Thunberg.
Justice Thunberg sentenced McCoy to life for the charge of 2nd degree murder. Under Rhode Island General Law, Brown is not eligible for parole on the life sentence for at least 20 years and is not eligible to earn time off for good behavior on the murder conviction.
On January 27, 2009, McCoy assaulted his 48-day old baby girl, Naiomi McCoy, who had been left alone in his care. Later that day the baby’s injuries were discovered when the defendant brought her to a cousin’s house and eventually taken to Newport Hospital. Due to the baby’s severe head injuries she was immediately transferred to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she died three days later as a result of her injuries.
“It is abhorrent that a father could commit such an egregious act upon his own tiny infant daughter,” said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin. “The death of baby Naiomi is tragic, but the extent of her injuries is exceptionally appalling. Naiomi depended upon her father for care and protection, and instead he snuffed out her short life.”
McCoy has been held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institute since February of 2009.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Ania Hopkins and Kelly McElroy on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, and the investigation was led by Detective Kevin Sullivan of the Newport Police Department.
“The Office of Attorney General is deeply committed to protecting our most vulnerable and precious resource – our children. To further that commitment, we will be establishing a new Child Abuse Unit, led by Special Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore,” Attorney General Kilmartin said. “The prosecutors in this unit will be specially trained to handle the unique circumstances of child abuse cases, which are often the most psychologically devastating for those involved.”