Magistrate Withdraws Application

Three weeks after a 22-month-old girl was taken to the hospital and later died, a friend of the family and Hamilton County Magistrate announces plans for his future.

Attorney Bob Meeks withdrew his application to continue as a Magistrate after County Commissioners say he broke his contract by representing the baby's family.

" Once it appeared to me the situation was going to prove embarrassing to the commission I considered it would be in my best interest to go full time," said Meeks.

So Meeks decided not to reapply as a Magistrate and practice criminal as civil law at his own firm. But the question remains did Meeks say he would represent this family during a criminal investigation? The County Commission says that just telling the baby's father to remain silent broke his contract.

" Even though there is no arrest made yet. It is a criminal investigation. So it is a criminal case. So Meeks just made a mistake. I regret it but I think he's done the best thing," said Hamilton County Commissioner, Larry Henry from District 7.

"I advised this young man and his family that if this become a criminal matter that I did not expect that it would. If this did become a criminal matter the would have to contract another attorney," said Meeks,

NewsChannel 9 received calls wanting to know why Meeks is still in office. Commissioners say he will finish out his contract which ends in October. But he will serve here at the jail as a Magistrate until then.

"The contacts expire October 31st. We can't do anything until that contract expires. So he will technically be a Magistrate until then," said Henry.

County Commission will reopen applications for the magistrates positions, right now four of those jobs are open.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office says the baby death case is being ruled as a homicide. No charges have been filed.