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Convicted baby killer back in prison just months after being released early
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Adam Kight, Jordan Gartner , WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 24, 2026
· 1 min read
EVANSVILLE, Ind. ( WFIE /Gray News) - The convicted killer of an 11-month-old baby has found himself back in prison after being released early. In 2002, Jonathan Richardson was sentenced to serve 55 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for murdering his 11-month-old stepdaughter, Faith L...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Adam Kight, Jordan Gartner, WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 Indexed here Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway In March, officials said Richardson was released early after serving just over 20 years of the 55-year sentence.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The case of Jonathan Richardson, who was recently returned to prison for a parole violation, raises questions about the effectiveness of early release programs in the region. Although Richardson's crime occurred in Indiana, his story has implications for Nashville residents who may be concerned about public safety and the management of violent offenders. As Nashville's own corrections system grapples with issues of overcrowding and recidivism, the Richardson case serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks of releasing violent offenders back into the community before they have completed their full sentence. With Richardson now facing the possibility of remaining in custody until 2041, his case will likely be closely watched by local law enforcement and community leaders who are working to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the Nashville area. The specifics of Richardson's parole violation have not been disclosed, but the incident may prompt a re-examination of parole protocols in neighboring states.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EVANSVILLE, Ind. ( WFIE /Gray News) - The convicted killer of an 11-month-old baby has found himself back in prison after being released early. In 2002, Jonathan Richardson was sentenced to serve 55 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for murdering his 11-month-old stepdaughter, Faith L...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Adam Kight, Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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