Man pleads guilty in child’s death in Joplin; sentenced to life in prison

In Joplin, a 25-year-old man has entered a plea of guilty to second-degree murder and four counts of child abuse.

Brian O’Grodnick was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 2-year-old boy and four additional years, (one year for each count of child abuse).

The sentences will run concurrently.

Joplin Police took O’Grodnick into custody after finding 2-year-old Jameson Long unconscious and not breathing on May 31, 2020.

The child, who was found to have undergone multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma, died two days later.