Federal Way man pleads not guilty in toddler's death

From staff reports:

Ron Wallace Jr. was arraigned Dec. 16 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of second degree murder in the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter in Federal Way.

About 1 p.m. Nov. 21, deputies were called to a house at 36202 21st Place South in unincorporated King County east of Federal Way. According to charging papers, Wallace called 911 because 2-year-old Purpose Goldsmith was not breathing. Wallace was at the home with the girl and her 4-year-old brother while the children's mother was at work.

The girl was transported to Harborview Medical Center, but was dead on arrival. She had head trauma and numerous wounds on her body, including belt marks on her buttocks, stomach and face, reports said. Autopsy results indicate the girl died of blunt force injury to her head and torso. Wallace said he punished the girl because she soiled her diaper, and according to charging papers, admitted to hitting her six or seven times with a belt. Wallace said he shook her many times and she went limp, and according to charging papers, slapped her several times with an open hand on the side of her head. Wallace, who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds, said he used 50 percent of his strength against Purpose, according to charging papers.

Wallace, 28, was arrested Nov. 22 by King County Sheriff's Office detectives. He has a 2005 felony second-degree assault conviction related to domestic abuse, according to charging papers.

Wallace is scheduled for a case setting hearing at 1 p.m. Jan. 13 in courtroom 1201 at the King County Courthouse. Wallace remains in jail on $2 million bail.

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