Tucson dad sentenced for child’s death | Crime

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – A Tucson father received his sentence in a Pima County courtroom after pleading guilty to child abuse charges related to the death of his 9-year-old son.

Joseph Antonsen was sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison followed by 20 years of probation.

In 2024, Pima County deputies discovered the decomposed body of Antonsen’s son on a couch in their cluttered home. Deputies described the house as filled with empty beer cans, soiled diapers, urine, rotten food, and poisonous spiders.

Antonsen had previously informed officers that his son was sick and claimed he intended to seek medical assistance. He reported that he noticed his son was limp and not breathing and that he could not find a pulse. Shockingly, Antonsen left his son alone for two days.

In court, it was revealed that Antonsen suffered from severe untreated mental health issues and a substance abuse disorder related to alcohol.

Judge Kimberly Ortiz addressed Antonsen in court.

“You knew he needed help and for whatever reason, even with the resources around you from your parents both financial and emotional you were not able to correct your behavior and the devastation you were surrounding your child with,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz acknowledged a point from Antonsen’s defense attorney. The judge agreed that no matter the sentence, the worst punishment for Antonsen is knowing he played a significant role in his son’s death.