BENJAMIN SARGENT - 5 months (2/2008)/ Convicted: Parents; Tracey Hermann and James Sargent - Peoria IL

Parents of Baby Left Alone in Car Seat for 8 Days Face Murder Charges

Published February 21, 2008
Associated Press

PEORIA, Ill. –  A central Illinois couple faces first-degree murder charges in the death of their 5-month-old baby, who was found unresponsive in a car seat that had been placed in a crib.

Both Tracey Hermann, 21, and James Sargent, 23, appeared Wednesday in Peoria County Circuit Court in the death of Benjamin Sargent.

The charges state the parents' actions or lack thereof, were "brutal and heinous . . . indicative of wanton cruelty," factors that could mean they face up to 100 years in prison if convicted.

The 5-month-old was dropped off at his parents' house on Feb. 4, strapped into his car seat. Eight days later, he was found in the same position, said Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons during a bond hearing for the parents.

"He died from starvation due to neglect from these two defendants, his parents," Lyons said. "It's the worst case of child neglect we have seen since the turn of this century."

Sargent said virtually nothing, during a 20-minute hearing before Peoria County Circuit Judge Glenn Collier. Hermann told Collier her attorney was in Hawaii so she requested a court-appointed lawyer.

Collier ordered the two held without bond pending a hearing Friday, when it is expected that Lyons will present more evidence as to why the two should not be released pending trial.

Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said Wednesday the baby weighed 10 pounds when he was found by police. He was nearly eight pounds at birth, she said.

Reading from a prepared statement, Lyons said police found the infant sitting in his own waste, all the while strapped into the seat which was in a crib.

During the eight days the baby was strapped in the seat, both Hermann and Sargent were home, "playing video games, watching TV, feeding and caring for themselves," Lyons said.

Lawyers in the state's attorney's juvenile division have begun proceedings to permanently remove Hermann's 3-year-old daughter from the home. That child was staying with another family member but is now in the care of Department of Family and Children's Services.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/02/21/parents-baby-left-alone-in-car-seat-for-8-days-face-murder-charges/

5 Mo Old Left In Car Seat For 8 Days No Food, Water Or Diaper Changes, Dies

Posted on January 26, 2014
by Admin



Five month old Benjamin Sargent was dropped off at his mom and dad’s house strapped into his car seat. He was found in that same position 8 days later. Benjamin had died from an infection caused by feces in his diaper that eventually ate through his skin. This was a result of him lying in his own waste and not being changed for eight days.

Tracy Hermann and James Sargent, not only neglected to change their son’s diaper, but also neglected to feed him. The five-month baby only weighed 2 pounds more then he weighed at birth when he was found. Little Benjamin died with his eyes open, his fists clenched and strapped into his car seat after eight days without food or water.

State Attorney Kevin Lyons said the parents simply left little Benjamin in his crib, strapped to his car seat, while they played video games, slept and ate.

Police interviewed the father who at first told them he had moved the baby a couple of times, but later conceded that he might not have moved Benjamin at all during that week. The mother allegedly told the police she looked at the baby in the crib and presumed he was sleeping, so she said she stuck a bottle between the baby and the side of the car seat so that when he woke up he could grab it to feed himself.

Lyons stated that James Sargent, 23, showed a complete and total lack of remorse for the death of his son. A Peoria County Judge sentenced Sargent to the maximum of 100 years in prison. Tracy Hermann, 21, was sentenced to 50 years after she pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of her son Benjamin. She will have to serve her entire sentence.

http://dailybuzzlive.com/5-mo-old-left-car-seat-8-days-food-water-diaper-changes-dies/#sthash.sfEfdPbz.dpuf