Mum Jailed for 15 Years for Killing Baby Daughter in Campaign of Abuse
A mother who violently shook her four-month-old daughter to death in what was described as a “horrific campaign of abuse” has been jailed for 15 years.
Melissa Wilband, 28, was convicted of manslaughter in April following the tragic death of her baby, Lexi Wilband, who died from a catastrophic bleed on the brain.
Emergency services were called on 12 April 2020, when Wilband reported her daughter was unresponsive. Paramedics arrived to find Lexi lying on the floor, lifeless. Shockingly, while they worked to save the infant, Wilband was seen rolling cigarettes and using her mobile phone, the court heard.
Despite being offered the chance to hold her baby before she was intubated, Wilband declined.
“You killed Lexi by violently shaking her”
Sentencing at court today, The Honourable Mr Justice Saini told Wilband:
“You killed Lexi by violently shaking her. While bathing her, you shook her, and immediately afterwards she went floppy.
Your extreme shaking led to severe bleeding in her brain.
It was obvious such violent actions would carry at least the risk of very serious injury.”
He described Lexi as a “healthy baby” and a “delightful and smiley girl”, and criticised Wilband for her chaotic lifestyle and failure to explain her violence toward her child.
Wilband did not stay by her dying baby’s side
Prosecutor Jane Osborne KC told the court that Wilband did not remain with Lexi overnight following the fatal injuries. Instead, a staff nurse held Lexi’s hand through the night until her death.
“On the morning of 18 April, Lexi seemed to have longer pauses in her breathing,” Osborne said. “Ms Wilband was told to attend the ward. She arrived just after Lexi had ceased to show any signs of life and had stopped breathing.”
Boyfriend cleared of involvement
Wilband’s then-boyfriend, Jack Wheeler, had also been charged with manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child. However, the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence on the manslaughter charge, and Wheeler was cleared of the second count.
The tragic case has left a community shaken and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unseen child abuse within the home.