A SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FATHER HAS ADMITTED TO KILLING HIS 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. 26 YEAR OLD TRAVIS RAY HESTER ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA IN SMYTH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER FOR THE JULY 27TH DEATH OF HIS DAUGHTER. DURING THE HEARING, EVIDENCE PRESENTED RECORDED THE FATHER SAYING HE DIDN’T KNOW WHY HE THREW THE CRYING BABY TO THE FLOOR. BELLE LEANN HESTER DIED AT ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, THE DAY AFTER SHE WAS AIRLIFTED FROM SMYTH COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY ROOM. DURING A POLICE INERVIEW, HESTER REPORTEDLY SAID HE WAS BABYSITTING THE CHILD, AND HE FOUND HER ON THE GROUND NEAR A TREE AT HIS HOME. AMONG EVIDENCE AGAINST HESTER WERE THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S REPORT AND AUTOPSY PHOTOS. A SENTENCING HEARING FOR HESTER IS SET FOR DECEMBER 12TH. AT THAT TIME, HE COULD RECEIVE A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF UP TO FORTY YEARS.