Former Loudon man pleads guilty to killing toddler in 2019

A former Loudon man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old son in 2019, the New Hampshire Attorney General announced.

Douglas Barton, 41, will serve 35 years to life in the New Hampshire State Prison, according to a plea negotiated with state prosecutors. After serving 15 years of the sentence, Barton will have the ability to have 2 ½ years suspended based on good behavior and the completion of substance abuse treatment, anger management, and parenting classes, according to the Attorney General.

Loudon police were called to a residence on School Street on September 24, 2019, for a report of a child who was not breathing. Colton Emery was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed he died of blunt force trauma to his head.

Barton was arrested and accused of physically assaulting the young boy multiple times, causing his death. 

Barton has an extensive criminal record in New Hampshire and has faced dozens of criminal cases since the mid-1990s. He has prior convictions for burglary, theft, drug possession, willful concealment, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, as well as parole violations, according to the state court system.

 

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