An Indiana man, aged 25, has been sentenced to over three decades in prison for the tragic death of his girlfriend’s 21-month-old daughter. The child was shaken with such force that it caused a brain herniation, with doctors noting the brain matter was leaking “through her ears.”

Judge F. Aaron Negangard of the Seventh Judicial Circuit issued the sentence on Friday, requiring Jesse Allen Sartin to serve 35 years in a state prison, followed by five years on probation, for the death of young Caroline Ruth Boggs, according to official statements.

Sartin received this sentence after admitting guilt to an aggravated battery charge that resulted in death.

Prosecutors revealed in a news release that on July 24, 2024, Sartin was responsible for Caroline’s care when he “violently shook the child for approximately 20 seconds,” inflicting severe brain injuries that proved fatal.

Initially treated at St. Elizabeth Dearborn, Caroline was then airlifted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. There, she underwent emergency surgery and was placed on life support. Unfortunately, despite all medical interventions, she succumbed to her injuries on August 1. Her death was attributed to abusive head trauma, consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

During the sentencing, Judge Negangard pointed to several aggravating factors, including the child’s “extreme vulnerability,” Sartin’s role as her caregiver, and the “violent nature and duration of the assault.” The court also highlighted Sartin’s criminal background, noting that he was on probation when the crime occurred and initially misled investigators before confessing.

“This case represents a devastating and preventable loss of life,” Dearborn-Ohio Counties Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said in a statement. “Caroline was a healthy, loved child who depended on adults to protect her. Instead, she suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of someone entrusted with her care while her mother was at work.”

Victim impact statements described Caroline as a “joyful, curious child” whose death has left lasting trauma on her family.

Following his release, Sartin will be barred from having contact with minor children during his probation.

As Law&Crime previously reported, Sartin initially claimed the toddler’s injuries were accidental, telling medical staff she had been standing on an ottoman when a dog knocked her over, causing her to fall.

Doctors quickly determined the injuries were inconsistent with that account.

Due to the severity of her condition, the child was transferred to a children’s hospital, where surgeons attempted to relieve pressure from extreme brain swelling. Medical professionals later said the swelling was so severe that her brain herniated and was “leaking through her ears.”

Investigators ultimately determined the child had been in Sartin’s sole care at the time of the incident while her mother was at work.

In an interview with police, Sartin admitted he became frustrated while bathing the toddler, claiming she was “being aggressive and flailing her arms” because she did not want to get out of the tub. He then confessed to shaking her for about 20 seconds.

Authorities also recovered a letter Sartin allegedly wrote to his girlfriend after the incident, in which he described the moments leading up to the assault.

“Once the bubbles were gone, I drained the water and put her toys away. I tried to pull her out but she didn’t want to get out. Screaming and swinging her arms,” the letter states. “I tried to pull her out but she kept pulling away and I was getting upset. Baby, I’m so upset. I shook her trying to get her to calm down.”

An autopsy later determined the toddler’s death was a homicide caused by abusive head trauma, including swelling to the brain and significant hemorrhaging consistent with violent shaking.

The case drew scrutiny due to the severity of the child’s injuries and the initial attempt to portray them as accidental — a claim investigators said Sartin later abandoned when confronted with medical evidence.