Former airman faces sentencing in toddler’s death

(AP) – A former airman at Dover Air Force Base is facing sentencing for the death of a 21-month-old boy who was left in his care while his mother was deployed overseas.

Justin Corbett, who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Evan Dudley, was convicted in July on the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide.

Corbett faces up to eight years in prison when he appears for sentencing Thursday in Kent County Superior Court.

Authorities say Corbett was caring for boy in November 2012 while the child’s mother, also stationed at Dover, was deployed to Qatar.

Police say Corbett called 911 to report that Evan was unresponsive after falling down stairs.

The boy died a few days later. His death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.