An Indiana babysitter who allegedly struck a 7-month-old infant so forcefully that it caused a brain bleed has been sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of probation, according to court records.
Background
Emily Duran, 27, was caring for the infant on Dec. 11 in Fort Wayne when the alleged assault occurred. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by WPTA, an ABC affiliate, the parents left their son with Duran around 7 a.m. The child appeared fine when they departed.
When the couple returned home at approximately 5 p.m., Duran hastily exited before they could speak with her. The parents then noticed deep purple bruising covering their son's face from his jawline to his hairline, the affidavit stated.
Duran later texted one of the parents claiming the boy had fallen earlier that day. When investigators recorded a phone call with Duran, she altered her story, stating both she and the child were at a park when he allegedly fell off a bench.
The parents took their infant to a local hospital where doctors diagnosed him with a brain bleed. Medical experts later determined there was "no explanation other than child abuse" and that the injuries were "inflicted" and could not have resulted from an accident, according to the affidavit.
The Investigation
Police located Duran two days later and brought her in for an interview. After being read her Miranda rights, she reportedly admitted to slapping the infant on one side of his face and backhanding him on the other. According to investigators, Duran stated she "slapped him as hard as you would slap an adult."
Duran was charged with battery to a child under 14 by a person at least 18 resulting in serious bodily injury. As part of her plea agreement, a charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury was dismissed.
She pleaded guilty and appeared in court on Monday for sentencing. The Fort Wayne Police Department assisted in the investigation alongside local prosecutors.
Key Takeaways
- Emily Duran, 27, sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of probation
- Victim was a 7-month-old infant left in Duran's care on Dec. 11 in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Parents discovered deep purple bruising covering the child's face upon returning home
- Medical experts concluded the brain bleed was caused by child abuse with no accidental explanation
- Duran admitted to slapping and backhanding the infant "as hard as you would slap an adult"
- Charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury dismissed under plea deal
What's Next
Duran will begin serving her six-year prison sentence immediately. She will be monitored for three years following her release and must comply with all conditions of probation. The Fort Wayne Police Department confirmed the case has concluded with the sentencing.
The child's current condition was not disclosed in court records.