Pierce County man sentenced for seriously injuring 3-month-old baby
A man accused of seriously injuring his then-girlfriend’s 3-month-old son was sentenced Friday.
Jonathon Eric Thomas Cartmell, 24, pleaded guilty last month to first-degree child assault.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Karena Kirkendoll gave him seven years, nine months in prison — the low end of his standard sentencing range. That’s what both the defense and prosecution recommended.
The attorneys said Cartmell didn’t have any prior criminal history.
Cartmell brought the baby to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Feb. 13, 2018 and said the child was having “seizure-like activities,” according to charging papers.
Doctors found the child had a broken arm that was healing, bleeding in the brain that was new and brain bleeding that appeared to be at least a couple weeks old.
Cartmell allegedly told police that the baby was crying, he was frustrated, that he picked the baby up from his bassinet and threw him onto a bed. He allegedly said he later might have picked the child up to shake him but that he did not shake him hard.
He also allegedly described previously throwing the baby on the bed and the couch, and once grabbing him by the arm.
The baby’s mother told police Cartmell watched the child while she worked.
She told the court Friday that her son just turned 2 and is starting to walk.
He has a lot of medical appointments, she said.
She also told the judge that she was separated from the baby for a time after what happened and that he hit a milestone while they were apart.
“He was already crawling, and I had missed that,” she said.
Cartmell’s mother told the court that he loved the baby. Whatever happened, she said, was not intentional.
She said he has always been respectful and kind and that “he is mentally slower.”
He had a difficult childhood and was in special-education classes throughout his schooling, court records said.
When it was Cartmell’s turn to speak, he apologized, and said he hopes the child is healing and will be OK.
He said he didn’t intend to hurt the baby and that he takes responsibility for his actions.
“I’m so, so sorry,” he said.
Kirkendoll said, given his IQ and history, she didn’t see a benefit in a higher sentence.
“Your life will be changed forever after this experience,” she told Cartmell.
There are many victims, she said, including the child, mother and Cartmell’s mother.
“I don’t think Mr. Cartmell fully comprehends what happened here,” the judge said.
