A babysitter has been jailed after attempting to murder a five-month-old boy by shaking him and then blaming the child’s mother. Kimberly Dow inflicted serious injuries on the baby she was supposed to care for. The 34-year-old from Dunfermline denied the charge of attempted murder during her trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. She lodged a special defence, accusing the boy’s mother instead.
Dow was found guilty of assaulting the child on 17 March 2022 by shaking him, causing head trauma and other injuries, which endangered his life, at her home. Advocate Depute Michelle Brannagan informed jurors that the evidence pointed to one incident when the child was injured, which was when Dow was looking after him.
When the baby was admitted to the hospital, doctors found significant haemorrhaging around his brain and in both eyes. Experts testified that the extensive bleeding across many areas of the brain suggested prolonged shaking. The court learned that the brain injuries were so severe they could have resulted in the baby’s death.
Kimberly Dow, 34, of #Dunfermline, #Scotland found guilty of attempted murder of 5-month-old boy
Inflicted severe brain injuries by shaking on March 17, 2022
Evidence showed prolonged shaking caused extensive brain hemorrhaging, potentially fatal injuries
🙏 #TrueCrime pic.twitter.com/jqdwm72QK9
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) August 14, 2024
Brannagan asserted that the evidence clearly indicated intentional harm, not an accident. The child’s mother stated she had no previous concerns with Dow’s care when the babysitter had looked after her son while she and her mother had Covid-19.
She said: “He came back his normal, wee self – happy and content.”
The court was told that Dow had called the mother, offering to take the baby for the night. After leaving her son with Dow, the mother was unable to contact her. She later heard the baby had fallen from a couch.
Subsequently, the mother received a message urging her to come quickly as the child was screaming and his body was ‘tensing’. Dow claimed she had briefly left the baby on the couch, and upon returning, found him on the floor. In one message, Dow said the child had an accident, fell, and ‘gave himself a sore one’.
Brannagan told the court there was no evidence supporting Dow’s accusation against the mother. Previously on bail, Dow was remanded in custody by trial judge Lady Ross after the verdict.
Sentencing was deferred to allow for a background report.
Lady Ross stated: “Given the seriousness of the offence and the expectation of a custodial sentence, the appropriate course is to revoke bail and remand her in custody.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did the babysitter do to the baby?
Kimberly Dow shook the baby, causing severe brain and retinal hemorrhages.
Did the babysitter deny the charges?
Yes, Kimberly Dow denied the charge of attempted murder and blamed the child’s mother.
What injuries did the baby suffer?
The baby suffered significant brain and retinal hemorrhages due to prolonged shaking.
What did the court conclude about the babysitter’s defense?
The court found no evidence to support Dow’s claim that the child’s mother was responsible.
What happened to the babysitter after the trial?
Kimberly Dow was found guilty and remanded in custody, awaiting sentencing.