Murder suspect could face death penalty

POSTED: 8:47 PM Dec 08 2012   UPDATED: 12:35 PM Dec 08 2012

Two-and-a half years after the death of a four-year-old boy from Tazewell County, Virginia the man facing charges in his death could face the death penalty.

According to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph prosecutors in Utah say they plan to seek the death penalty for 33-year-old Nathanael Sloop.

Sloop is facing charges after the death of four-year-old Ethan Stacy.

Sloop is married to Stacy’s mom, Stephanie Sloop.

Police in Utah believe the boy was beaten for days before his death.

Stephanie Sloop will face a separate trial and is accused of contributing to the boy's death or failing to stop it.

The Sloops were newlyweds in May 2010 when they were charged with aggravated murder and second-degree felony child abuse among other charges.