Claremore man charged in child's death

(Claremore-AP) -- A convicted child abuser has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 9-month-old daughter. <br><br>Prosecutors say Benjamin Cole of Claremore was charged Thursday with

Friday, December 27th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Claremore-AP) -- A convicted child abuser has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 9-month-old daughter.

Prosecutors say Benjamin Cole of Claremore was charged Thursday with the December 20th slaying of Brianna Cole.

A probable cause affidavit says Cole told authorities he put the child down for a nap and later discovered she wasn't breathing.

A medical examiner's report shows the baby's back was broken and that she bled to death.

District Attorney Gene Haynes says Cole confessed to bending Brianna backward. Haynes says the baby was crying and that Cole grabbed her by the legs and flipped her over.

Haynes says Cole was convicted of felony child abuse in 1987 in California. The child in that incident suffered cigarette burns and broken ankles.