PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- A Parkersburg man has been convicted of murder of a child by guardian or custodian in the January 2007 death of his girlfriend's 15-month-old daughter.

The Wood County Circuit Court jury returned the guilty verdict Tuesday.

Thirty-one-year-old William Ryan Johnson faces up to life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 3.

The state medical examiner determined that Jada Whited died of multiple blunt force trauma to the head.

The defense said the toddler could have received the injuries from falling down stairs. Prosecutors said the injuries weren't consistent with such an accident.

Whited's mother, Stephanie White, pleaded guilty last December to child neglect resulting in death and was sentenced to three to 15 years in prison.

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- A Parkersburg man has been convicted of murder of a child by guardian or custodian in the January 2007 death of his girlfriend's 15-month-old daughter.

The Wood County Circuit Court jury returned the guilty verdict Tuesday.

Thirty-one-year-old William Ryan Johnson faces up to life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 3.

The state medical examiner determined that Jada Whited died of multiple blunt force trauma to the head.

The defense said the toddler could have received the injuries from falling down stairs. Prosecutors said the injuries weren't consistent with such an accident.

Whited's mother, Stephanie White, pleaded guilty last December to child neglect resulting in death and was sentenced to three to 15 years in prison.