A Tucson man whose baby died as a result of an alcohol-related incident was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison Monday for violating his probation in that case by driving drunk with two children in his car.
Daniel Hendricks, 25, and other family members were drinking alcohol at a rest area in the Tucson Mountains when the baby fell 12 to 15 feet off a wall at Gates Pass in April 2007.
Hendricks pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in April 2008 and was placed on three years' probation by Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell.
The defendant was recently arrested on aggravated driving under the influence and child abuse charges, to which he pleaded guilty.
On Monday, Deputy Pima County Attorney Linda Garcia asked Fell to give Hendricks 3.75 years - the maximum sentence possible for the negligent homicide - plus consecutive, maximum sentences on the DUI and child abuse charges.
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Hendricks' wife, Lisa, told Fell their other son needs his father at home and she hoped he wouldn't give her husband a lot of time in prison.
Defense attorney Anne Elsberry asked Fell for some leniency.
Hendricks' father went to prison when Hendricks was 10 for killing his mother in a drunken driving crash, Elsberry said. After the death of his son in April 2007, Hendricks avoided getting counseling because he was reluctant to talk about his feelings and didn't appreciate the need.
His DUI arrest happened around the anniversary of his mother's and son's deaths, Elsberry said.
Hendricks now knows he needs to get counseling and he's been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in jail, Elsberry said.
Hendricks told Fell he is sorry and realizes he can't battle his alcoholism alone.
Fell sentenced Hendricks to 2.5 years for negligent homicide, plus a consecutive six years on the new charges.
The judge told Hendricks he understands why Hendricks might want to drown his pain.
"I get that, but you don't have to drive a vehicle," afterward, Fell said.
