Duluth Man Kills Daughter Because She Cried Too Much

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The father of a 13-month-old girl has pleaded guilty to suffocating her out of frustration with her crying.

Christopher Dennis Peterson, 30, of Duluth, entered his plea Monday in St. Louis County District Court to a count of second-degree murder. His plea agreement calls for the maximum 40-year prison sentence.

Peterson's daughter Layna died July 5. He told police in a statement that he frequently stopped his daughter's fussing by placing his hand over her mouth and pinching her nostrils closed.

Sentencing was set for Nov. 12.