Clarence Martin Jr., a 37-year-old father, has been sentenced to life in prison after committing an unthinkable act that resulted in the death of his two-month-old daughter, London. The tragic incident unfolded in October 2020 in Nevada, USA, when Martin threw the baby from a second-floor balcony following an argument with his fiancée, Nicole, and then set their apartment on fire, killing their dog.
Nicole made a desperate 911 call at around 3:40 am, reporting that Martin had thrown their baby from the balcony. When she rushed downstairs, she found London lying motionless on the ground after falling 22 feet. A neighbor attempted CPR, but the baby was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
According to witnesses, Martin fled the scene shouting, “Burn, [expletive], burn. This is what you get for cheating on me.” Inside the apartment, he had started a fire in the living room, leaving a dog trapped in a cage to die from heat and smoke. The fire forced the evacuation of seven nearby units as firefighters worked to control the flames.
Martin’s erratic behavior continued after he left the scene. He caused multiple car accidents before leading police on a chase that ended at an airport. There, he sneaked into a restricted area, donned a stolen TSA officer’s shirt and safety vest, and attempted to hide items in an airline van before authorities apprehended him.
Nicole, who had been in a relationship with Martin for four years, revealed that he had a history of mental health issues but had shown no alarming behavior until three days before the tragic event. On the day of the incident, she woke up to Martin kicking her and their baby before he grabbed London and took her to the balcony.
Legal documents revealed that Martin had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, and his lawyer argued that his mental health had deteriorated after losing his job during the pandemic. Despite acknowledging Martin’s mental health struggles, Chief Deputy District Attorney Parker Brooks emphasized the devastating impact on the victims, particularly London and her mother.
Judge Carli Kierny, who presided over the case, described it as the most horrific she had ever encountered. “I don’t say this lightly – this is the worst case I’ve ever seen. It boggles my mind,” she said during sentencing. She imposed a life sentence with the possibility of parole after nearly 50 years, aligning with the prosecution’s request.
Martin faced multiple charges, including child abuse, first-degree arson, animal cruelty, and attempted murder. The case serves as a grim reminder of the tragic consequences of untreated mental health issues and domestic violence.
