Fort Drum soldier back in court, accused of murdering infant

WATERTOWN (AP) -- Pre-trial arguments have been adjourned for a Fort Drum veteran of Afghanistan who's charged with killing a 4-month-old baby he and his wife were trying to adopt.

Jeffrey Sliker was charged with second-degree murder in March in the death of Laurne Clark, also known as Mollie Sliker.

The child was found dead at the couple's home in northern New York after Sliker's wife alerted authorities. An autopsy determined she died of a head injury and Sliker was arrested.

After a status conference Monday in Jefferson County Court, the case was adjourned to late December.

Sliker and his wife had been looking after the baby since birth under a court-approved adoption. Sliker served with the Army in Afghanistan in 2009 and was awarded a Purple Heart for an unspecified battle injury.