Man sentenced to more than 40 years for infant’s death

Zackary Sparks(WSAZ)
Published: Jun. 30, 2022 at 4:34 PM EDT

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A man accused in the death of a 4-month-old child was sentenced Thursday to more than 40 years in prison, according to information from Cabell County Circuit Court.

Zackary Gene Sparks, of Huntington, who had taken a Kennedy plea, was sentenced to 40 years on a second-degree murder charge and two to 10 years on a related charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.

He also will be on a lifetime registry and have several years of extended supervision.

The incident happened in November 2017 in Cabell County. Investigators say Sparks was the parent, guardian or custodian of the infant.

A Kennedy plea means a defendant accepts his or her sentence but doesn’t admit to guilt.

For previous coverage:

Man charged in infant’s death pleads not guilty

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