A Marshall County man about to go on trial later this week, in the death of an eleven month old child, chose instead to plead guilty to a charge of manslaughter Monday morning.

Immanuel Gage Allen had been charged with Capital Murder – in connection with the 2012 death of Gemma Moore – the daughter of his then-girlfriend. During the Monday morning hearing Allen admitted to pushing the child off the bed causing her to hit her head on a CD player.

Investigators say the child died from blunt force trauma to the head; Allen failed to explain why he pushed the eleven month old off the bed.

Prosecutors say the child had been shaken and had also suffered a broken collar bone.

The judge in the case chose to accept Allen’s plea despite the reduction in charge from that of Capital Murder to Manslaughter – Allen could face up to 20 years in prison.

Sentencing has been set for October 15th.

(WAFF TV48/www.waff.com)