Milton Freewater Teen Charged With Murder in Baby’s Death

A Umatilla Grand Jury has formally indicted a 16-year-old boy in the tragic death of a 5-month old infant. The filing of formal charges came late last week.

The child was brought to Providence-St. Marys Medical center in Walla Walla June 8 by paramedics, and shortly thereafter 5-month old Dominic Smart was dead.

County officials determined Evan Freel, the boy's father, was guilty of murder by abuse and First-Degree Criminal Mistreatment. His bail has been set for $5 million, according to the East Oregonian. The boy was reportedly living with the child's mother, who is 17.

He's currently in the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional facility, and a judge has set July 8th for his next court appearance.

Officials have not released details about what actions Freel committed to allegedly lead to the eventual death of the infant. The criminal charges were fled after an autopsy was performed on the child.