40-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Killing Houston Father and Toddler

Bolanle Olayinka Fadairo, a 40-year-old man, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the deaths of Michael Essien, a 38-year-old father, and his 2-year-old son Micah in 2022. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the sentencing, emphasizing the loss suffered by the victims’ family and the pursuit of justice.

“The family in this case lost a loving father and a little boy who was the most innocent of victims,” Ogg said. “We were ready to go to trial to seek justice and hold this killer accountable, and now he will be behind bars for decades and hopefully the rest of his life.”

Fadairo pleaded guilty to two counts of murder earlier in the month. The incident stemmed from a dispute between Fadairo and Essien, who had been friends since high school. Essien, a husband and father, had been assisting Fadairo, who was experiencing homelessness, by providing odd jobs and allowing him to use his address for mail.

The disagreement escalated when Fadairo demanded money from Essien, leading to a confrontation captured on surveillance footage. Fadairo fatally shot Essien and then fled in Essien’s SUV, where Micah was seated in a car seat. Fadairo abandoned the vehicle a few miles away, leaving the toddler inside on a hot day.

The stolen SUV was discovered by authorities with Micah found deceased inside. Fadairo was apprehended the following day. Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Condon and Savana Hooper prosecuted Fadairo, who entered a guilty plea on April 12, just before the trial was set to begin.

“This is a terrible tragedy, and the plea agreement is not going to bring back Mike and Micah, but hopefully the family can find some peace because it is the end of the legal battle,” Condon said. “Finally, this defendant took responsibility for ending both lives.”

Fadairo must serve at least 30 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole. As a term of the plea agreement, he cannot appeal either of the two murder convictions or the prison sentence.