Father says he didn't let daughter's teeth rot

А Lehigh Township man who police say endangered his daughter's life by letting her teeth rot will ask a Northampton County judge Friday to let him withdraw his guilty plea.

 

Kenneth Wanamaker Jr. said Saturday he didn't neglect his 6-year-old girl and new evidence will support his claims.

 

"I never endangered my child's life," Wanamaker said. "I never neglected care for my child. That's not me."

 

Defense attorney Gary Asteak said he will represent Wanamaker at Friday's hearing.

 

Last month, weeks before he was set to go to trial, Wanamaker, 37, pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering another person and false swearing. He was sentenced to 38 days to 18 months in county jail, plus six months of probation. In a motion filed April 22, he says he did not understand the charges.

 

He also claims his Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel was violated, contending his attorney had no time to secure evidence and examine witnesses.

 

Authorities allege Wanamaker and his partner, Jessica L. Hoffman, allowed their daughter's teeth to become so infected her life was at risk. Dentist Eugene McGuire testified in August that 16 of the girl's 20 teeth were either abscessed, needed to be pulled or had severe root and tooth decay.

 

The girl did not receive treatment until county caseworkers became involved.

 

Wanamaker said Saturday he will present documentation that the damage to his daughter's teeth was not that severe.

 

Wanamaker had been an inmate at Northampton County Prison since his bail was revoked in December. The judge had given Wanamaker a month to enroll in an inpatient treatment facility to address his addiction issues, but court officials found he failed to comply.

 

The Northampton County district attorney's office also is investigating the pneumonia death of the couple's 7-month-old son in 2011.