A Nebraska father who once preached about being a “pro dad” and shared parenting tips online has been sentenced to 65 to 80 years in prison for shaking his 4-month-old daughter to death. Ryan Greenwood, 36, was convicted of intentional child abuse resulting in death after a five-day trial in March 2025.
The Tragic Incident
On August 14, 2025, Greenwood and his wife, Tanya Greenwood, were charged in connection with the death of their infant daughter. Ryan Greenwood admitted to “playing rough” with his daughter, causing her to cry uncontrollably. Tanya Greenwood later told authorities that the baby had been put to bed with a bottle, but she failed to wake up at her usual time the following morning.
When Ryan Greenwood checked on the baby later that night, he claimed she was “perfectly fine.” However, the next day, he found the infant unresponsive and cold to the touch. He attempted CPR before contacting his wife, but the baby was already beyond help.
An autopsy revealed that the child died from a traumatic brain injury, consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Medical experts concluded that immediate medical intervention could have potentially saved the child’s life. Investigators also noted that Tanya Greenwood had previously seen her husband shake the baby and squeeze her leg tightly.
Internet Presence and Parental Advice
Ryan Greenwood had a significant online presence, posting parenting advice under the hashtag #dadtips on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. His content frequently centered on Christianity, fatherhood, and “repentance.”
In one video posted just a month before the tragedy, Greenwood discussed the concept of repentance, saying that to truly repent, one must feel sorrow for their sins. He connected this idea to his own views on fatherhood, explaining that just as parents can cleanse their children by being responsible, God cleanses people from their sins through repentance.
In a June 2025 #dadtips post, Greenwood advised parents to clean their baby’s bottle after each feeding, making a comparison to Christ’s cleansing of believers’ sins. His words, now haunting in hindsight, emphasized trust in God’s forgiveness and the importance of a “sorrowful heart.”
Legal Proceedings and Tanya Greenwood’s Role
While Ryan Greenwood has been sentenced, his wife, Tanya, has yet to face trial. She was found not competent to stand trial at this time but is due for a competency review hearing in mid-May. Tanya Greenwood allegedly knew about the abuse and looked up information on shaken baby syndrome after the child’s death. Her knowledge of the abuse and failure to intervene was a key element of the case.
A Father’s Preaching and a Family’s Loss
The case has shocked many, especially given Ryan Greenwood’s online persona as a devoted Christian father. His tragic actions stand in stark contrast to the advice he shared about fatherhood and repentance. The Greenwood family’s story is a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse.
Ryan Greenwood will spend the remainder of his life in prison for his crime, with the possibility of parole after serving his sentence.
