Father Sentenced to Two Years for Baby's Death After Shaken Baby Syndrome Incident
A 25-year-old father has been sentenced to two years in prison for manslaughter by the Doubs Assize Court. The ruling comes after his six-week-old baby died following what medical examinations determined was a case of shaken baby syndrome. The verdict was delivered after five hours of deliberation and includes a two-year probationary suspension. The court also mandated the young man to compensate the civil party in the amount of 10,000 euros for emotional damage.
On June 8, 2018, in Cessey (Doubs), the father called emergency services because his infant daughter was pale and no longer breathing. Despite the efforts of firefighters and the SMUR (Mobile Emergency and Resuscitation Service) of Besançon, the child succumbed to her injuries and passed away in the hospital 11 days later.
Medical investigations revealed lesions indicative of trauma consistent with shaken baby syndrome. An expert appointed by the Besançon Court of Appeal found evidence supporting the trauma conclusion. Chief Prosecutor Alexia Marquis had initially sought a six-year imprisonment term for intentional violence resulting in death.
The defense, led by lawyer Jérôme Pichoff, argued for acquittal, asserting that the father, who was only 19 at the time, was faced with a dire situation and tried to save his child. Pichoff emphasized, 'I tried to get her to react because she was leaving. A gray child, blue lips, very soft: faced with such an unexpected situation, the first action is to save his flesh. But the cure can sometimes be worse than the disease.'
The mother of the deceased child and the accused have another child, now 4 years old, despite a judicial order prohibiting them from meeting. During the trial, the young mother expressed her belief in her partner's innocence, although she acknowledged that something abnormal had occurred.
- The father's sentence is significantly lighter than the six-year term suggested by the prosecution. He will remain under the supervision of a sentence enforcement judge during his probation period.
- The tragedy has had lasting impacts on the family, including the 8-year-old half-brother of the deceased baby, who will receive compensation for emotional trauma. This case highlights the critical need for awareness and education on shaken baby syndrome to prevent such incidents.
- Despite the court's sentencing, the family remains conflicted. The couple has gone on to have a second child, yet the circumstances of the case have strained their relationship and put them under intense public and legal scrutiny.
