April Evalyn Short, a 31-year-old military spouse from Fort Eisenhower, pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder for killing her infant son. Short admitted to intentionally killing her 11-month-old son using a knife, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
The guilty plea was announced by Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Short is set to face a 20-year sentence, along with significant financial penalties and an additional five years of supervised release after serving her time. The federal system does not allow parole.
Details from the plea agreement show the crime was premeditated. On Nov. 15, 2023, Short committed the murder at Fort Eisenhower, described as a willful and malicious act. She is currently held by the U.S. Marshals Service, awaiting sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall.
Steven Ausfeldt, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Southeast Field Office, praised the investigative work that led to the plea. He specifically commended the child forensic interview team's efforts in the case.
The FBI also commented on the case. Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated that while the plea does not erase the tragedy, it provides justice for the child’s family. The investigation, led by the Army Criminal Investigation Division with FBI support, has concluded with the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry W. Syms Jr. and Patricia G. Rhodes. For inquiries, the U.S. Attorney’s Office can be contacted at (912) 652-4422.
