Ind. Man Charged with Murder After Allegedly Shaking Girlfriend’s Toddler to Death

Mar. 15, 2025

Jesse A. Sartin.Photo:Dearborn County Jail

Dearborn County Jail

An Indiana man is accused of shaking his girlfriend’s toddler to death, authorities said.

On July 24, police officers were called to St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital in Lawrenceburg, Ind., on a report of a young girl with a “suspicious” head injury, Deddens said. The injury was initially reported to be an accident, but investigators claim that Sartin allegedly shook the girl for about 20 seconds while the child’s mother was at work.

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While speaking with investigators, Sartin allegedly admitted that he grabbed the girl and “shook her for about 20 seconds,” WLWT reports, citing court documents.

(PEOPLE has been unable to independently confirm the contents of the letter or the court documents.)

The alleged incident led the girl to undergo emergency surgery to relieve brain swelling and pressure inside her skull, according to Deddens. She was pronounced dead on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Sartin made his first court appearance on Monday, Aug. 5, online records show. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

source: people.com