OREGON CITY, Ore. -- An Oregon City woman accused of killing an infant she was babysitting by violently shaking him has been sentenced to life in prison.
In April 2015, 37-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Martin was arrested on a manslaughter charge in the death of 7-month-old
Izaak Gillen.
Gillen was injured on April 6, 2015 at Martin's house and brought to Randall Children's Hospital, where doctors discovered Izaak's skull was fractured. He died the next day.
“From the moment I found out that I was pregnant, I knew that my heart and my life had been blessed forever,” said his mother Stacy Gillen.
She spoke inside a Clackamas County courtroom Tuesday. Her hands shook as she grabbed the podium during her statement.
“Izaak was truly a gift from God. God gave me the honor and the privilege of being Izaak’s mom and allowed me to love and care for him for seven wonderful months,” Gillen said.
Martin was sentenced Tuesday to a minimum of 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
“I trusted Sarah with the most precious thing in the world to me,” Gillen said. “I have spent every day for the last year wishing I could have done more to protect Izaak. My guilt of not being there for my son has been overwhelming.”
Investigators said Izaak suffered skull fractures from being shaken too hard. Martin has maintained the baby choked on food and flopped out of her arms onto the ground.
“As much as I hurt for you and your family, my heart breaks and crumbles even more because not only will you not get to experience the greatest moments of your children’s lives, I will not be able to experience the greatest moments of Izaak's life,” Gillen said.
Justin Gillen, Izaak's father, said he wants to tell other parents not to take their kids for granted.
“Always love your child a little more, give them one more hug, tell them you love them one more time. For it may seem that all of life is ahead, but you never know," he said. "It could be the last time you ever see your child again.”
For Stacy Gillen, the pain is still raw. But she finds comfort in her faith.
"I will see my Izaak one day in heaven and what a day of rejoicing that's gonna be,” she said.
Martin was given an opportunity to speak at the sentencing, but her lawyer advised her not to.
Some of Izaak's family members said they feel justice has been served.
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