Toddler’s brain was almost liquid after dad’s girlfriend shook him to stop him crying, autopsy finds

JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. (TCN) -- A 31-year-old woman has been sentenced to 33 years following her conviction in the death of her boyfriend’s son in 2024.

On May 16, 2024, police arrived at a home after receiving a report of a child in distress, according to the Seymour Tribune. Kassandra Bracewell had dialed 911 and said, “He’s dead. I think I hurt him.” A 17-month-old boy, Jalen “JJ” Harding — the son of Bracewell’s boyfriend — was receiving lifesaving measures from the fire department when police arrived. 

According to a detective who later testified at Bracewell’s trial, Harding was “almost lifeless” when he got there; he believed at the time that Harding had suffered injuries due to an accident. Bracewell had told him the child climbed out of his portable crib and hit his head on the dresser.

Harding was transferred to a children’s hospital where it was determined his injuries were not consistent with the story Bracewell had told but were consistent with shaken-baby syndrome, according to the Tribune. An autopsy found his brain was more fluid than solid.

Bracewell was arrested May 25, 2024, on charges of child neglect. She denied stating on the 911 call that the child was dead because she had hurt him, according to the Tribune. Law & Crime reports Bracewell’s mother, Marjie S. Bracewell-Cook, claimed Bracewell was frustrated with Harding’s crying and pushed him backward into the portable crib. Bracewell-Cook also alleged Bracewell had told another child inside the home not to tell the police the truth about what had occurred.

According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Bracewell pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death on Aug. 20. She was sentenced to 30 years in state prison with three years suspended on Sept. 15. 

Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Lynsey N. Fleetwood released a statement following the sentencing that reads in part, “Seventeen months old. This child was just a baby, innocent, defenseless, and entirely dependent upon the adults responsible for his care and protection. Instead of being protected, this little boy lost his life because of Kassandra Bracewell’s criminal neglect.

“There is no sentence this Court could impose that would bring this beautiful child back. There is no number of years that can restore the life that was lost or erase the horrific consequences of Kassandra Bracewell’s actions. But there must be accountability, and Kassandra deserves every single day she will spend behind bars.”

The Tribune reports Bracewell testified, “I’m sorry don’t begin to scratch the surface of how I feel.” 

Harding’s father, Andrew Finley, read a letter aloud in court stating that the sentence was not long enough, per the Tribune.

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