LUCAS THEEDE-BENNETT - 9 Months - Willard MO

Babysitter found guilty of felony child abuse


November 18, 2010A Willard woman sobbed loudly Thursday in a Greene County courtroom after a judge said she was responsible for the death of an infant in her care.Babysitter Brenda Jean Caringer, 55, was found guilty of felony child abuse in the January 2009 death of 9-month-old Lucas Theede-Bennett.The child’s family huddled tightly together after Circuit Judge Calvin Holden gave his verdict. “There really isn’t any closure. It doesn’t bring Lucas back to us,” said Julie Theede-Beeney, Lucas’ great aunt, who read a statement prepared by the family.Beeney said the family is grateful that the nearly 2-year ordeal is finally over.
It was standing room only in a packed courtroom in the minutes leading up to the verdict.Holden began his decision recapping the events of the trial.“This has never been an easy case,” he said.He said Jan. 6, 2009, started as a normal day for Lucas until something happened between 1:45 p.m. and 2:46 p.m. that ended his life.Holden noted that Caringer changed her story when she spoke to first responders who arrived after she called 911.He said more than once that her timeline didn’t fit the facts.Throughout the trial, the defense argued that a series of falls Lucas experienced in the eight days before Jan. 6 were a slow lead-up that triggered his death.Prosecutors argued that Caringer was the only person who could be responsible for the traumatic head injuries.After the testimony of multiple medical professionals and examiners, the judge determined Lucas’ injuries were the result of child abuse inflicted minutes before his death.“We miss you little boy,” Beeney said through tears. “We love you.”
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20101118/BREAKING01/101118017/1007/NEWS01/Baby+sitter+found+guilty+in+child+s+death