From Deseret News archives:
Justice for victims?
Babies and tiny children dead; those entrusted with their care are accused
Twenty-three victims were boys; 13 were girls. Among those who were charged with crimes are 25 men and 13 women. In two cases, both parents were charged. Fourteen fathers and seven mothers were accused of killing their biological or adopted sons or daughters.
But there may be many more child-homicide cases that have gone undocumented.
Prosecutors in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Utah counties were unable to say how many potential cases they screen for charges but, for various reasons, do not file any charges. None of them track that information.
"We don't file every case that comes to us a possible homicide," Deputy Salt Lake District Attorney Jim Cope said. "I couldn't tell you if it is 3 percent or 30 percent that we get rid of."
Cope conceded that sometimes prosecutors may take the easy way out. "I think justice is being done in the cases that we bring," he said. "I think there are some people who have quote 'gotten away with murder.' "
Weber County
Victim: Karston Sampson, 17 months
Died: Jan. 29, 1999
How died: Shaken baby syndrome
Evidence: Pre-existing medical condition complicated case
Accused: Justin Jay Scott, mother's boyfriend
Charge: Murder
Outcome: Scott entered an "Alford plea"* to second-degree child abuse homicide; 2nd District Judge Parley Baldwin sentenced Scott to 30 days in jail.
Died: Feb. 10, 2001
How died: Beating, shaking
Evidence: Lacerated liver, 16 broken ribs and head injury
Accused: John L. Austin, baby's father
Charge: Capital homicide
Outcome: Austin pleaded guilty to lesser charge of first-degree murder; 4th District Judge Brent West sentenced Austin to five years to life. His first parole hearing is scheduled for 2016.
Died: May 11, 2001
How died: Suffocation
Evidence: Mother confessed to smothering child with a plastic bag, a pile of blankets and her hand.
Accused: Jennifer Robinson, mother
Charge: Murder; attempted murder, second-degree felony
Outcome: Pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder; 2nd District Judge Stanton Taylor ordered five years to life in prison.
Died: May 26, 2001
How died: Shaking
Accused: Derek Byron West, baby sitter
Charge: Murder
Outcome: Pleaded guilty to lesser charge of child abuse homicide, second-degree felony; 2nd District Judge Roger S. Dutson ordered one to 15 years in prison.
Died: July 16, 2002
How died: Beating, shaking
