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SALT LAKE CITY — A Magna woman has been sentenced to prison after she admitted to intentionally shaking a 1-year-old boy she was babysitting in 2018, which police say caused the boy to suffer permanent brain injuries.
Kelsey Autumn Briceno, 28, will spend up to five years in prison, according to a sentencing order filed Monday in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake County.
She pleaded guilty in July to one count of child abuse, a second-degree felony, but the charge was downgraded to a third-degree felony in accordance with her plea agreement, court documents show.
On Nov. 28, 2018, Briceno was taking care of the boy at her home, according to charges.
She initially told police that the boy suffered injuries after falling down a flight of stairs because she had taken down a gate that was normally placed at the top of the stairs, according to a search warrant.
Utah 1-year-old left with brain injuries after babysitter shook him, police say
A 1-year-old boy will have permanent brain injuries after his babysitter shook him in frustration and then placed him in his playpen where he hit his head on the wall, according to court documents.However, in a third interview with police, she admitted that she “made up the story because she was scared,” according to charges. She told police she was frustrated because the child was crying and screaming and she could not get him to stop, according to charging documents. She told police she “didn’t feel herself” and she shook him a few times, charges state.
She told investigators she placed the boy in his playpen, but he got out of her hands and hit his head on the wall while she was putting him down, charges state. She then noticed the boy was not responding to her, according to charges.
The child suffered brain hemorrhages on the left side of his head, and a portion of his skull was removed to relieve swelling, according to charges.
Court documents show the boy’s parents and grandparents spoke at the sentencing, as well as prosecutors and defense attorneys. The sentencing order also notes that a presentence report indicated that Briceno “has a drug and alcohol problem.”
It is yet to be determined whether Briceno will be responsible for paying any restitution in the case, according to the sentencing order.
