A Westgate man awaiting trial for killing his four month old son is asking to be released from jail because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to KIMT. 23 year old Dean Hettinger says that jails are ticking time bombs during pandemics due to inadequate sanitation, limited medical care and close living quarters. He says if he were let out to await trial he would stay at his mother’s home in Fayette County and would be willing to wear an ankle monitor and check in with a probation officer by phone. Hettinger’s son, Holten Smith suffered 36 rib fractures and brain injuries while allegedly being cared for by Hettinger. Hettinger is currently being held on $1 million bond in the Fayette County Jail.
