Details have emerged about the harrowing mistreatment suffered by a newborn baby as his mother faces the consequences for her involvement in his tragic death.
Kristie Lee Willmot and her partner, Robert Alan Gee, faced charges related to the death of their son, Michael Willmot, who passed away at just 37 days old in 2021. Although initially accused of murder, the couple admitted to lesser charges during their recent court appearance.
Willmot admitted to acts of cruelty towards children under 16 years old between June 10-15, 2021, while Gee pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Reports indicate that Gee offered no additional comments during the court proceedings.
According to court testimonies, Willmot left baby Michael in Gee’s care for a brief period while she went to procure drugs for a friend. During this time, the infant became distressed, prompting Gee to shake and throw him onto a couch. Despite this, Gee messaged Willmot, falsely claiming that the baby was well and asleep.
As the days passed, Michael’s health deteriorated significantly. He exhibited high fever and feeding difficulties, indicating severe distress. Instead of seeking medical help, Willmot recorded the symptoms on her phone and consulted with Gee via text messages.
In a message, Willmot expressed regret for not taking the baby to the hospital earlier and voiced concerns about the consequences of seeking medical attention. Tragically, on June 14, 2021, Michael stopped breathing and was pronounced dead by paramedics, four days after sustaining the fatal injuries caused by shaking.
The court highlighted Willmot’s failure to fulfill her maternal responsibilities, resulting in harm to her child. Although she cooperated with the authorities, she concealed her actions of sourcing drugs during the incident.
While Willmot was not directly responsible for Michael’s death, she was found guilty of failing to prevent it, as she should have been aware of the potential consequences of her inaction. The judge emphasized that despite not witnessing the initial harm, Willmot should have recognized the severity of the situation as the baby’s condition worsened.
Willmot received a four-year suspended jail sentence, having already served time in custody, allowing her to leave court freely. Gee’s sentencing is scheduled for November 13.
