Former KC police officer indicted in toddler's death

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) -- A Clay County grand jury has indicted a former Kansas City police officer in the death of his girlfriend's toddler.

The grand jury on Tuesday indicted Nicholas A. Minet, 29, on charges of second-degree murder and abuse of a child.

Minet is accused of throwing 2-year-old Alyssa Eickmeier onto a mattress and shaking her, which injured her brain and fractured her skull. There were also bruises on her neck, back and forehead, and an adult bite mark on her left leg.

According to court documents, Minet became frustrated with the toddler's crying while baby-sitting. Eickmeier died Oct. 19, 2006, of blunt trauma injuries to the head, court documents say.

Minet's attorney, John O'Connor, said Wednesday that his client will plead not guilty and argue it was a case of involuntary manslaughter, not murder.

"It's a horrible case that involved a toddler's death, but there was no intention on behalf of my client to cause murder," O'Connor said.

Minet initially was charged with assault and abuse of a child. He has been in the Clay County Detention Center since October 2006 on those charges in lieu of a cash bond set at $250,000.

A request on Tuesday for a reduced bond was denied.

Clay County prosecutor Dan White said the indictment had been delayed until the official autopsy report was released.

If convicted, Minet could face up to life in prison.