Sentenced: Sarasota Woman Faces Murder Charge Following Death Of Infant

[Sugar Cookie]

Four months after an infant was admitted to a hospital and later died, Sarasota County deputies made an arrest in the boy's death.

Lily Scheip is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection to the death of the 14-week-old. Deputies said they responded on Nov. 8, 2021, after receiving a report of an infant who lost consciousness and wasn't breathing.

The person who dialed 911 reported their neighbor, Scheip, showed up at their door with the child. According to the sheriff's office, CPR was performed until first responders arrived and took the child to a hospital.

Officials said no obvious injuries were observed, and the infant was taken to Tampa General Hospital where doctors discovered head trauma.

Two days later, the child died.

Detectives said 31-year-old Scheip told them she was the only person caring for the 14-week-old at the time he was found unresponsive. They did not specify her relationship with the child.

During the investigation, detectives said they learned the infant had two broken legs in September 2021 after an "apparent accidental fall." After an autopsy was conducted, they sad there was one partially healed skull fracture and at least two "recent impact injuries to the back of the infant's head while he was in exclusive care of Scheip."

Sarasota woman faces murder charge following death of infant

Four months after an infant was admitted to a hospital and later died, Sarasota County deputies made an arrest in the boy's death.

www.fox13news.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Dominic George Scheip​

 

[runninfawn]

what and adorable little one ... how can anyone hurt such a tiny defenseless baby... and accidental fall my fanny that poor little seemed to have went through hell on his so very short life....

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Lily Scheip, 35, was convicted of manslaughter in August in connection with the death of her baby son Dominic. She was originally charged with second-degree murder when it was discovered during an autopsy that Dominic died of "serious head trauma" and his death was ruled a homicide. On Monday, Scheip was sentenced to 10 years in prison with credit for time served. She has been behind bars since her arrest in March 2022.

In the affidavit, police said Scheip admitted to an incident in September 2021 when she dropped Dominic from a recliner while burping him. Police learned that Dominic had suffered a "series of injuries" since his birth in August 2021. She had no explanations for his other injuries.

Before Scheip's trial began, her attorneys were able to get the charge of second-degree murder reduced to manslaughter after proving that there was no malicious intent. She was found guilty of manslaughter on Aug. 15. A judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison plus four years probation. With credit for time served, she will only have to spend another five years behind bars.

At her sentencing on Monday, Scheip's parents defended their daughter. Her mother told the court, "I can't imagine, in my wildest imagination, her hurting my grandson intentionally."

Scheip's in-laws, however, felt differently and requested the maximum sentence of 15 years. Her brother-in-law told the court, "Dominic's death has cast a permanent shadow over our family. And it has aged my parents before my eyes."

The prosecuting attorney, assistant state attorney Karen Fraivillig, felt the same way. She told local ABC affiliate WWSB, "Ten years is not enough. Nevertheless, I understand the judge's rationale."

Mom found responsible for causing 'serious head trauma' that killed her 14-week-old son

She was originally charged with second-degree murder when it was discovered during an autopsy that Dominic died of "serious head trauma" and his death was ruled a homicide.

lawandcrime.com