Fort Drum Soldier Facing Charges For Infant’s Death

Watertown, NY (WIBX) - According to the Associated Press, law enforcement officials have charged a Fort Drum soldier with killing a four-month-old baby he and his wife were in the process of adopting. The report from the AP and Army Times states that Jeffrey Sliker was arraigned in Watertown City Court today on a 2nd Degree murder charge in the death of Laurne Clark. The infant was also known as Mollie Sliker.

On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, Watertown police say they were called to 23-year-old Sliker's home and found the dead child. The report also states that the death was not natural however, authorities are not releasing the autopsy report or saying how the child died.

Officials say that the suspect did not enter a plea. Sliker is from Rode Island, NY and joined the Army in 2008, serving in Afghanistan in 2009. Officials at the Fort Drum military post told the AP that he’s been awarded combat medals, including a Purple Heart.