Uncle pleads guilty over death of boy beaten because of missing slice of birthday cake

The uncle of a nine-year-old boy who was beaten to death over a missing piece of birthday cake in the US has pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse.

Jacob Barajas, 24, entered the plea on Tuesday as jury selection was set to begin for his trial in Hagerstown.

He faces up to 15 years at his sentencing, which has not been scheduled. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years.

Prosecutors dropped other charges, including second-degree murder.

Barajas is among three people charged in the July 2015 death of Jack Garcia from Maryland.

Robert Wilson, the mother's boyfriend, is serving a 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for beating Jack after Barajas had handcuffed him to a chair.

The mother, Oriana Garcia, is scheduled for trial in February on charges including second-degree murder.