Who was Shanica Callaghan? Evil step-grandma gets light sentence for killing baby
Judge Ushir Pandit-Durant in Queens Supreme Court sentenced Callaghan to 364 days in prison after she accepted a plea deal.
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| A 36-year-old step-grandmother accused of beating and shaking an 11-month-old baby to death will not even spend a year in jail. |
The baby, Jeremiah, died on September 6, 2017. His injuries included a fractured skull, brain damage, and neck and spinal cord injuries. A medical examiner said the cause of death was severe and repeated shaking, along with blunt force trauma.
Callaghan claimed Jeremiah choked while she was feeding him. She was arrested in 2018 and initially faced serious charges, including second-degree murder and child endangerment. However, all these charges were dropped and replaced with a single, less serious charge of reckless endangerment.
The judge accepted the plea deal, and Callaghan was taken to jail, where she will serve her time in protective custody. During the sentencing, Callaghan said nothing and appeared sad but not overly distressed.
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| Shanica Callaghan was sentenced to 364 days in prison in Queens Supreme Court on Tuesday after striking a plea deal |
The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney George Kanellopoulos, explained that factors like Callaghan’s lack of criminal history, her being a mother of three, and her immigration status were considered when deciding the plea deal. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz approved it.
| A 36-year-old step-grandmother, Shanica Callaghan, was accused of beating and shaking an 11-month-old baby, Jeremiah, to death. She was sentenced to 364 days in jail after a plea deal. Jeremiah died on September 6, 2017, with severe injuries. Callaghan claimed he choked while she was feeding him. She was initially charged with serious crimes, but these were reduced to a lesser charge. The judge accepted the plea deal, and Callaghan will serve her time in protective custody. The case has caused widespread shock and outrage. |
The judge praised both sides for resolving the case after six years and more than 50 court hearings. She said the case was tragic but believed justice was served.
Callaghan’s 364-day sentence was the maximum allowed under the plea deal, ensuring she would not be deported to Jamaica, as U.S. immigration law allows deportation only for crimes punishable by over a year in jail.
Jeremiah had been in Callaghan’s care because his biological mother struggled with drug addiction. Callaghan claimed he was a happy and healthy baby before the incident. However, an autopsy revealed severe internal injuries, contradicting her claims.
