A tragic case unfolded in Clackamas County as 19-year-old Maliki Israel Skutley stood before a judge, facing severe allegations. Skutley has been formally charged with two counts of second-degree murder and a count of first-degree assault relating to the death of his six-week-old son, Paxton Shuler. As per details released by Clackamas County, Skutley was arraigned on these charges in Circuit Court yesterday.
April 20 marked a grim day when Gladstone Police were alerted to Randall Children's Hospital to probe into what was feared to be a case of child abuse. As officers soon discovered, the investigation would quickly turn even more dire. According to the Clackamas County news release, young Paxton had suffered a significant brain injury on April 16, which doctors had determined was caused by blunt force trauma or extreme pressure leading to a catastrophic lack of oxygen to his brain. The infant's battle for life ended in loss when he passed away on April 23.
This heartbreaking incident purportedly occurred while the child's mother was away at work and Paxton was left in Skutley’s care at their residence, the Budget Inn in Gladstone. Subsequently, authorities pieced together a narrative that pointed accusingly at Skutley, alleging the young father caused the injuries while he was solely responsible for Paxton's care.
Skutley has been taken to the Clackamas County Jail and is being held without bail. His case, listed as 25CR21958, will move forward in court and may reveal more details about what led to Paxton's death.
