Lucas Shayne Scronce, 35, of Hickory, was sentenced to an active prison term of 15 to 19 years for second-degree murder following a guilty plea in Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
The Honorable Donald R. Cureton, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Scronce entered the guilty plea for his involvement in the February 7, 2024, death of his 16-month-old infant daughter.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
“This case is one of the most heart-breaking we have seen. A defenseless baby lost her life simply because fentanyl and other drugs were present and accessible,” 36th Prosecutorial District Attorney Scott Reilly said. “Our office is doing everything we can to fight the devastation these drugs are causing in our community. Our goal is to stop the spread of fentanyl and hold those who traffic and irresponsibly use it accountable.”
Deputies responded to the residence after a 911 called was received about a child being deceased. When they arrived on the scene with emergency personnel, the child was found dead.
An autopsy report showed that the female child died of fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.
During a search of the residence, deputies located and observed a large bag with powder in it along with numerous items of drug paraphernalia. They also observed unsafe living conditions in the home, noting drugs and paraphernalia at various locations throughout the residence.
The defendant claimed to be asleep during the time the child may have died, and he admitted that there was open and frequent drug use in the residence on a regular basis. Scronce tested positive after his arrest for methamphetamine and fentanyl use.
Scronce also told investigators that he had used fentanyl prior to giving the child a bottle at some point prior to its death.
Josh Rector was the lead investigator for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorney Tim Gould prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Amy Bishoff.