Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Murdering His 2-Month-Old Daughter
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of his 2-month-old daughter, whose death investigators described as one of the most disturbing cases of child abuse in the area’s recent history.
Infant Found Unresponsive After Abuse
According to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the infant’s father, Holloway, was caring for his daughter on December 20, 2019, when family members overheard him yelling profanities at the baby over an Xbox headset. Moments later, the baby stopped crying and was found unresponsive.
She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors placed her on life support, but she died several days later from her injuries.
Medical Findings Reveal Severe Trauma
An autopsy revealed extensive signs of abuse — including 26 broken ribs in various stages of healing, a broken collarbone, a fractured skull, bruising on the chest and around the eyes, and a massive brain bleed. Medical experts determined the injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma.
Prosecutors said the brutality of the injuries made clear that the child had been subjected to repeated violence prior to her death.
History of Abuse and Dangerous Behavior
Court records show Holloway had a previous conviction for child abuse and neglect from Chesapeake, along with prior felony convictions for eluding police, hit-and-run, and driving under the influence.
He was convicted of second-degree murder and child abuse following a three-day jury trial in August 2024.
Judge Exceeds Sentencing Guidelines
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Afshin Farashahi described the case as “brutal and heartbreaking,” noting that the baby’s age and the level of violence justified a harsher punishment.
While state sentencing guidelines suggested a term of just over 23 years, the judge imposed a 50-year sentence with 20 years suspended, resulting in 30 years to serve.
The courtroom fell silent as the sentence was read, with prosecutors calling it “a measure of justice for a defenseless child who endured unimaginable suffering.”
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