RED WING – In a deeply emotional court hearing, Hunter Matthew McCutchen, a Red Wing man, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the brutal murder of his 2-month-old son. The courtroom on Friday, September 6, was filled with grief as family members, investigators, and professionals who worked on the case delivered powerful victim-impact statements detailing the unimaginable pain caused by McCutchen’s actions.
Joan Lex, the child’s aunt, held up a blue-green knitted blanket she had made for her nephew, a project she hoped he would never outgrow. “It took me about as long to make it as he was alive,” Lex said through tears. Lex was among the five who spoke during the sentencing, recounting how the tragic loss has shattered the family.
McCutchen had been charged with 15 crimes, including first- and second-degree murder, child endangerment, and malicious punishment of a child. However, in a plea deal, McCutchen admitted guilt to one count of second-degree intentional murder, resulting in the dismissal of the other charges. Despite the agreement, District Judge Douglas Bayley imposed the maximum penalty of 40 years behind bars.
The child’s mother shared how her 5-year-old daughter continues to suffer from nightmares after witnessing her brother’s death. “My son’s death still looms over me,” she said, describing the emotional toll on her and her family.
The investigation into the 2023 murder revealed harrowing details of the abuse McCutchen inflicted on the infant, leaving professionals physically ill from watching the evidence. Sgt. Cory Hubert, the lead investigator, shared the devastating impact the case had on him, labeling McCutchen as a “monster” who preyed on the defenseless.
The courtroom heard how the mother of the child had called 911 on May 25, 2023, after discovering her son unresponsive with pale skin and purple eyelids. First responders rushed the baby to Mayo Clinic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical examination revealed the infant had suffered multiple rib fractures, brain injuries, and signs of nonaccidental trauma.
McCutchen initially claimed the child had suddenly become unresponsive while he was caring for him. However, further investigation and video evidence revealed McCutchen had been rough with the baby and admitted to hurting him, an admission he later tried to downplay. In court, McCutchen acknowledged his guilt, stating, “I know what I am, and I know what I’ve done. I deserve whatever punishment is implemented on me.”
In a final, bittersweet act, the infant’s organs were donated, saving three lives. His heart went to a 1-year-old who spent her first year connected to machines, while his kidney saved a 39-year-old father, allowing him to spend more time with his young daughter. “Despite only being weeks old, my son was a hero,” the mother said in her victim impact statement.
The case has left a lasting mark on the family and the community, with Judge Bayley acknowledging that nothing can undo the harm caused. He urged those affected by the case to seek counseling to process the trauma, noting the importance of healing after such a tragedy.