Left inset: Jacob Ray Wescott (Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Baby Jack (GoFundMe).
In a tragic case that shook South Carolina, a babysitter has been found guilty of causing fatal injuries to a 10-month-old infant under his care. Jacob Ray Wescott has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after a jury convicted him of homicide by child abuse, as reported by the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
The heartbreaking incident unfolded on March 9, 2020, when emergency responders were called to Wescott’s residence by the Kershaw County fire department. The call came after young Baby Jack had stopped breathing, prompting a swift response from paramedics who transported the infant to a local hospital before he was transferred to a specialized children’s hospital.
Medical professionals discovered that the infant had endured severe head and body injuries, including a brain bleed and multiple bruises. Despite all efforts to save him, Baby Jack was removed from life support just two days later, on March 11. An autopsy later revealed that the cause of death was injuries in line with abusive head trauma, a condition previously known as shaken baby syndrome.
In a statement to deputies, Wescott claimed that he had fed the infant formula and then both had fallen asleep for roughly 90 minutes. He described a sudden and alarming moment when the child appeared to be “spazzing out” before ceasing to breathe. A witness in the home quickly contacted emergency services, leading to the unfortunate discovery.
This case highlights the critical responsibility entrusted to caregivers and the devastating consequences when that trust is violated. The community is left grappling with the loss of a young life and the chilling reminder of the vulnerability of children in such situations.
According to local ABC affiliate WACH, Wescott told deputies he fed the boy formula before the two fell asleep for about 90 minutes. Suddenly the child began “spazzing out.” He stopped breathing and a witness in the home called 911.
There were two other minors at the home at the time, per WACH.
Detectives concluded that the trauma was no accident and that Wescott, then 23, hurt the baby intentionally. Authorities did not say in the press release what led up to the incident or describe Wescott’s connection with the boy’s family other than saying he was a babysitter.
“Our victim’s advocate has been in contact with the mother of the child and all support we have available to us will be offered to her or has already been offered to her. We’re just trying to help the family along the way,” Sheriff Lee Boan said at the time.
A family friend said in a GoFundMe account description that Jack was cremated after his death.
“Baby Jack’s mother has the heartbreaking task of signing the paperwork for his cremation,” the account said. “She posted earlier that she should be planning his 1st birthday party, not his funeral. Just so sad and terribly unfair this tragedy.”
