LINCOLN, Neb. — A father has been sentenced to 65 to 80 years in prison after being convicted of intentionally abusing his 4-month-old daughter, resulting in her death. Ryan Greenwood, 36, received his sentence on May 8 following a five-day trial that concluded in March.
The case centers on the death of Elizabeth Greenwood, which occurred on August 14, 2025. Ryan Greenwood called 911 that morning to report that his daughter had died. Police and emergency responders arrived at their home near South 27th Street, finding the infant unresponsive and cold. Greenwood claimed he had performed CPR after discovering the baby not breathing, but his account of events raised suspicions among investigators.
Medical examinations revealed that Elizabeth died from a traumatic brain injury consistent with nonaccidental trauma, likely from violent shaking. Prosecutors argued that these findings contradicted Greenwood’s assertion that his daughter’s death was accidental and emphasized the father’s prior admissions of playing roughly with her.
Tanya Greenwood, Ryan’s wife, was also charged in connection with the baby’s death but was later deemed incompetent to stand trial. Her case currently remains unresolved as the court reviews her ability to participate in legal proceedings. Investigators have noted her communications prior to the incident, where she expressed concern over injuries to her daughter and sought information regarding shaken baby syndrome.
In the aftermath of their arrests, both parents were initially held on a $1.5 million bond for child abuse resulting in death. The investigation deepened as authorities analyzed phone records, social media activity, and conducted interviews. Ryan Greenwood’s earlier public persona as a family-oriented Christian, sharing “pro dad” advice, stood in stark contrast to the gravity of the charges he faced.
After a jury found him guilty of intentional child abuse, Ryan Greenwood’s conviction hinged on the prosecution’s narrative, which framed the baby’s death as a clear outcome of deliberate abuse rather than an unfortunate accident. Closing arguments highlighted discrepancies between his statements and the medical evidence presented, leading jurors to their conclusion.
As Ryan Greenwood begins his long prison sentence, the court has scheduled a review hearing for Tanya Greenwood, with the potential for her case to progress if deemed competent to stand trial. As of now, her allegations include failing to seek medical help for her child, illustrating a complex dynamic in parental responsibility.
The grim nature of this case has drawn attention not only for its tragic outcome but also for the dissonance between the public image the Greenwoods projected and the violence that allegedly unfolded in their home. The ongoing inquiries and future court proceedings may further unravel the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth’s death and the roles both parents played in the events leading up to this heartbreaking tragedy.