Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel sentenced Danielle Lefebvre (age 30), of Providence, to 20 years with 18 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation for abusing her six-week-old son in 2011. In addition, Lefebvre was ordered to have no contact with her son and must undergo mental health counseling. Lefebvre was found guilty by a jury on March 24, 2015 of one count of first degree child abuse.
During the course of the trial, the State proved that the defendant shook and threw her son so violently it caused bleeding of his brain, a complex skull fracture, numerous rib fractures, and caused the baby to have seizures. The injuries suffered by the child were so severe it caused permanent brain damage and delayed development.
The defendant presented her son to Hasbro Children's Hospital on October 20, 2011, indicating she found the baby crying on the bedroom floor when she awoke. Physicians determined the injuries to the child were not consistent with the defendant's account. Rather, the physicians determined the injuries were consistent with child abuse. Hospital personnel reported the suspected abuse to the Providence Police Department.
On October 22, 2011, after being advised of her rights, the defendant gave an audio-taped statement to the Providence Police where she admitted to violently shaking the baby on October 17, 2011 for a few seconds. She also admitted to aggressively rocking the child. During the trial, a Department of Children, Youth and Families social worker testified that the defendant told her that she was enraged and threw the baby on the floor because he would not stop crying.
The defendant's parental rights have since been terminated and the baby has been adopted.
"As a mother, Danielle Lefebvre was responsible for keeping her baby son safe from harm, yet she was the one he needed protection from," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "The abuse of a child at the hands of a parent is one of the most egregious crimes we prosecute. I commend the unwavering commitment of our prosecutors from the Child Abuse Unit who fight for justice for those who can't fight for themselves."
Providence Police Sergeant Carl Westin and Detective Dwight Eddy of the Providence Police Department led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore, Chief of the Child Abuse Unit, prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.