Daniel John Ridgers’ sentencing hearing to continue in January

A man who killed a baby will not learn his fate until after the New Year due to a disagreement between lawyers.

Daniel John Ridgers, 25. Picture: Facebook

A dispute over part of a forensic psychological report has resulted in a delay in the sentencing of the man responsible for the death of a baby.

Daniel John Ridgers pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of 10-month-old Khaylan Shayne Butler.

Ridgers had previously been charged with murder, but it was downgraded.

Khaylan Shayne Butler, 10-months-old, was killed after being shaken and dropped into his cot in November 2023. Picture: GoFundMe.

Khaylan was killed after being shaken and dropped in his cot by Ridgers in November 2023.

At the time of his death, Ridgers had been dating Khaylan’s mother, Maddison Butler.

During the first sentence hearing earlier in December, Ms Butler read out a victim impact statement.

The hearing continued on Friday in the Supreme Court in Hobart before Acting Justice David Porter.

Daniel John Ridgers, 25. Picture: Facebook

Crown Prosecutor Georgia Robinson said it was a “serious example of manslaughter.”

She also took issue with parts of the forensic psychological report done in preparation for Ridgers’ sentencing.

“The state’s position is that the report doesn’t go far enough to establish the connection between a mental impairment and the offending,” Prosector Robinson said.

“One of the symptoms set out by Dr Jennifer Wright is [Ridgers’] sensitivity to noise. The accused had previously been employed in construction jobs and driving an excavator.”

The matter was adjourned until January 9 at 10am