Benesch’s preliminary hearing on charges from infant’s death rescheduled to March 22

The preliminary hearing for the man charged with last week’s death of his girlfriend’s 18-month-old daughter was reset for next week. 26-year-old Edward Benesch of Rocky Drive is charged with reckless homicide and child abuse for the March 7 death of Somarah Smith. Benesch is being held in the Hickman County Jail for security reasons because the infant’s father, Edward Mays, is currently in the Dickson County Jail on burglary and child support violation charges. Benesch was scheduled for a preliminary hearing today, but it was postponed to March 22 after he told Dickson County General Sessions Court Judge Durwood Moore he wants time to hire an attorney. Benesch waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of his arrest and is still being held on $75,000 bond. Benesch dropped the child off at her great aunt’s home last week and claimed he had fallen on her. He was watching three children for Jill Smith after she was arrested Feb. 14. Preliminary autopsy results show the child suffered internal injuries and a fractured rib. Assistant District Attorney Carey Thompson said if the medical and other evidence supports it, prosecutors might seek a more serious charge from the grand jury. If the child’s death occurred during the commission of a felony such as child abuse or child endangerment, Benesch could face a first-degree felony murder charge.