A hearing will be held Monday to discuss the health status of Donald Robert Baker, a Templeton man who entered a plea of no contest last month to felony charges of child molestation and possessing child pornography.
Superior Court Judge Barry LaBarbera said he’d like to hear from Baker’s physician about his health condition to best determine if his medical needs can be met while he serves a prison sentence.
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Baker, 40, has told The Tribune that he has stage 4 lung cancer -- meaning the cancer has spread from the lungs to other parts of his body. Baker said he has been receiving radiation treatments. Baker also said this week that fluid has filled the sack around his heart. He is currently out of custody after posting bail.
Baker was scheduled to be sentenced today after two postponements. He faces between 10 years and 20 years in state prison for his no-contest plea in December, which results in a conviction without an admission of guilt.
LaBarbera previously allowed a delay of the sentencing for the completion of radiation treatment. The judge said today that Baker must be sentenced because of the crimes he has acknowledged.
But LaBarbera called the Monday hearing to gather more information from the doctor about Baker’s condition and when he feels the appropriate surrender date should be.
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