Pennsylvania Father Sentenced to 15-30 Years for Heinous Crime of Shaking Infant Son to Death

August 30, 2024

PENNSYLVANIA: A 31-year-old father from Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 15-30 years in state prison for the murder of his 4-month-old son. Tyler Sullivan pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child in May, acknowledging his role in the tragic and senseless death of his infant child.

The case began on May 24, 2023, when police officers responded to a call about a child in cardiac arrest at a residence on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The infant was not breathing and was cold to the touch when law enforcement arrived. Despite efforts to revive the child, he was pronounced dead just one minute after midnight at nearby Lower Bucks Hospital.

An investigation into the child's death revealed a pattern of horrific abuse. A reviewing physician determined that the boy had contusions, bruises, and abrasions all over his body, indicative of a battered child. Further investigation revealed that Sullivan had "violently shaken" the child at least twice on the day of his death and at least six times in the six weeks prior.

The sentencing hearing was an emotional and tear-filled event, with the boy's mother and aunt delivering impact statements that highlighted the trauma and grief caused by the child's death. The mother expressed her pain and anguish, stating, "My baby deserved to live a long, happy, wonderful life." She also shared that the trauma of her son's death had left her with persistent nightmares and made it impossible for her to return to the apartment they once shared.

Sullivan also spoke during the hearing, offering a tear-filled statement in which he admitted his guilt and shame for killing his son. In addition to his prison term, Sullivan was ordered to undergo mental health treatment, a small step towards addressing the underlying issues that led to this tragic event.