Dad says son choked to death, but boy was abused, TN cops say. He gets life term

Police responding to a call about a choking toddler who later died soon uncovered abuse that led to the father being charged with murder, Tennessee authorities and news outlets reported.

Aaron Smith, 33, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder, especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault, then a judge sentenced him to life in prison plus six years, according to the office of Eighth Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler.

His girlfriend, 28-year-old Alexis Payne, pleaded guilty to aggravated child neglect and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the office announced May 7.

“These agreements were reached only after extensive consultation and with the agreement of all involved law enforcement agencies, as well as with the victim’s mother,” Effler’s office said.

The New Tazewell Police Department said it got a 911 call on Oct. 28, 2022. Smith said his 3-year-old son had fallen while eating, and he found the boy unconscious, WVLT reported from court documents.

A neighbor was giving the child CPR, according to reporting from WBIR, and he was intubated at a hospital.

But police said the boy had bruises on his face, head, back, arms and legs that couldn’t have been caused by one fall, WATE reported.

He died of his injuries Nov. 1, and the couple was charged in connection with his death, outlets reported.

New Tazewell is a small town in Claiborne County, about a 50-mile drive northeast from Knoxville.

This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Dad says son choked to death, but boy was abused, TN cops say. He gets life term."