Father Given Suspended Sentence After Accidental Death of Three-Month-Old Daughter

The young father who was so scared after dropping his three-month-old daughter that he did not divulge information about the fall until after her death, has been given a three-year suspended sentence.

Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell imposed that sentence on Akida Javonne Bradshaw when he reappeared in the No. 4 Supreme Court on Friday.

Earlier this year, the Sturges, St Thomas resident pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the May 2, 2015 death of Akela Bradshaw.

Before the sentencing, Bradshaw apologised to the court, the mother of his children, and his family.

“There is nothing I would have done to hurt my daughter. I loved her very much, and there is nothing I can do to bring her back…. I was young and I was scared, but I would just like the court to be lenient on my behalf and give me a chance,” he said.

Madam Justice Smith-Bovell stated: “I do not think that anybody doubts that this was an accident, and for many of us, it is usually a situation which, for the grace of God, there go I. I am sure there are a number of parents who had a child who, fortunately for them, did not fall on a hard surface. The court understands that it clearly was basically accidental and understands that different people react differently to different circumstances. We don’t know if you telling the doctor would have made a difference…. Maybe, who knows, It might have made the difference.”

The judge deemed four years in prison as an appropriate starting point and said further deductions were made as the mitigating factors for the offender outweighed the aggravating, including his positive presentence report, expression of remorse, positive role as a father providing for his children, young age at the time of the offence and the strengthening of the relationship with the mother of Akela, who has two other children with Bradshaw.

In addition, his guilty plea brought the sentence down to two years in prison.

However, Justice Smith-Bovell suspended the sentence for three years and told the convicted man that if he found himself back before the court during that period, he would be made to serve the two-year sentence.

Bradshaw was represented by attorney Kendrid Sargeant while Deputy Director of Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC represented the State.