An Ohio babysitter was convicted Friday for last year’s beating death of a 3-year-old girl who suffered the fatal injuries while in her care.
Lindsay Partin, 36, was found guilty of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children in connection with the March 2018 death of Hannah Wesche, who died 10 days after collapsing while at her Hanover Township home. Wesche suffered bruising on her head and chest and Partin had confessed to slapping, shaking, and smacking her, according to WLWT.
Partin had claimed Wesche had suffered several falls which resulted in the bruises observed by emergency crews, doctors, and the coroner. The forensic pathologist who performed the toddler’s autopsy said she suffered a hemorrhage to the optic nerve, “tremendous brain damage,” and had deep bruising to the back of her head—some of which was only visible once her skin was peeled from her skull, the Journal-News reported.
The pathologist determined that Wesche died from a blunt impact to the head.
The defense unsuccessfully argued that Wesche’s father could have caused the injuries before dropping her off. However, the pathologist testified that the toddler would have been acting irregularly within “a couple moments” of experiencing the fatal injury, according to the outlet.
Partin testified that detectives coerced her into making a confession a day after Wesche collapsed in her home. However, WKRC reported that prosecutors said she had conducted online searches on how to get rid of bruising.
“I got mad and I just slapped her up the side of the head,” Partin was heard saying in the March 9 confession video. “I shook her and I remember picking her up and squeezing her.”
Partin’s bond was revoked in light of Friday’s verdict. Sentencing is scheduled for May 9.
[Featured image: Hannah Wesche/Facebook]
