Man allegedly shook girlfriend’s toddler for 20 seconds after giving her bath, causing fatal injuries

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (TCN) -- A man faces charges after allegedly shaking his girlfriend’s young daughter, causing brain swelling and pressure inside her skull that ultimately led to her death.

According to the 7th Judicial Circuit Prosecuting Attorney for Dearborn and Ohio counties, on July 24, Lawrenceburg Police responded to St. Elizabeth Hospital Dearborn in reference to a 21-month-old girl with a "suspicious head injury." Investigators determined Jesse Sartin allegedly shook the girl for around 20 seconds while her mother, Sartin’s girlfriend, was at work.

According to WLWT-TV, Sartin initially told officials it was an accident, claiming the victim stood on a chair stool and the dog knocked her off. He reportedly said that he picked her up and she went unconscious. Sartin allegedly drove the child to pick up her mother before traveling to the hospital.

The girl was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for emergency brain surgery. Court documents reviewed by WLWT say doctors determined the child’s injuries were not consistent with a fall but with shaking.

Days later, Sartin reportedly confessed to shaking the child after giving her a bath. He allegedly claimed she "was being aggressive and flailing her arms not wanting to get out of the bathtub." After drying her off, Sartin said the victim continued to cry, and he placed her in the chair where the dog knocked her off.

According to prosecutor Lynn Deddens, the girl died from her injuries at the hospital on Aug. 1. An autopsy revealed she had sustained brain swelling and severe hemorrhages in her eyes and her spinal cord. The victim’s death was ruled a homicide.

On Aug. 2, Deddens’ office charged Sartin with murder and aggravated battery resulting in death. He made his first court appearance on Monday, Aug. 5.

According to WXIX-TV, investigators read part of a letter Sartin wrote to the victim’s mother. In it, Sartin reportedly said, "Once the bubbles were gone, I drained the water and put her toys away. I tried to pull her out but she didn’t want to get out. Screaming and swinging her arms. I tried to pull her out but she kept pulling away and I was getting upset. Baby, I’m so upset. I shook her trying to get her to calm down."

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