(Lawrenceburg, IN) – A Dearborn County man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, followed by five years on probation, for the July 24, 2024 shaking death of his girlfriend’s 20-month-old daughter.
Twenty-five-year-old Jesse Allen Sartin pled guilty to Aggravated Battery Resulting in Death (Level 1 felony) in Dearborn Circuit Court.
Sartin and his girlfriend, who was the mother of Caroline Boggs, rushed the child to the hospital.
Sartin told medical staff and investigators that the toddler was standing on an ottoman and one of the couple’s dogs knocked her over.
Caroline was taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she died a week later from abusive head trauma consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
Sartin eventually admitted to violently shaking the girl for about 20 seconds, which caused the catastrophic brain injuries that led to her death on August 1, 2024.
“This case represents a devastating and preventable loss of life,” said Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. “Caroline was a healthy, loved child who depended on adults to protect her. Instead, she suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of someone entrusted with her care while her mother was at work. This sentence reflects the seriousness of that betrayal and ensures the defendant is held accountable.”
Deddens added victim impact statements described Caroline as a joyful, curious child whose life was cut tragically short. At the sentencing hearing, family members spoke of the lasting trauma and grief caused by her death.
In addition, Deddens commended the Lawrenceburg Police Department, medical professionals at St. Elizabeth Dearborn and Children’s Hospital along with everyone involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
“This outcome is the result of thorough investigative work and the courage of Caroline’s family in sharing their story,” Deddens said. “We remain committed to protecting children and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our community. ”
Once he’s released from prison, Sartin will be prohibited from having contact with any children while he’s on supervised probation.
