KERSHAW COUNTY SOUTH CAROLINA, A babysitter has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after being convicted in the death of a 10-month-old infant who suffered severe injuries while in his care.
Jacob Ray Wescott was found guilty of homicide by child abuse, according to a press release from the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Prosecutors said emergency responders from the Kershaw County Fire Department were called to Wescott’s home on March 9, 2020, after the infant, identified as Baby Jack, stopped breathing.
Paramedics transported the child to a local hospital before he was transferred to a children’s hospital for specialized treatment. Medical professionals determined that the infant had sustained extensive head and body injuries, including a brain bleed and multiple bruises, according to prosecutors.
The child was removed from life support on March 11, 2020. An autopsy later concluded that he died from injuries consistent with abusive head trauma.
According to local media reports, Wescott told deputies that he had fed the child formula and that they had fallen asleep for approximately 90 minutes before the baby began experiencing medical distress. Another individual in the home called 911 when the infant stopped breathing. Two other minors were reportedly present in the residence at the time.
Investigators determined that the injuries were not accidental and concluded that the trauma had been intentionally inflicted. Authorities did not provide additional details about what led up to the incident or Wescott’s relationship with the child’s family beyond stating that he was acting as a babysitter.
At the time of the investigation, Sheriff Lee Boan said victim support services were offered to the child’s mother. A GoFundMe page created by a family friend noted that the infant was cremated following his death and expressed the family’s grief over the loss.
The case concluded with Wescott’s sentencing this week.
