Justice Colin Williams today fined - but did not confine - Dana Banner for her manslaughter conviction in the death of a toddler. Last week Wednesday, she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless conduct, instead of standing trial for manslaughter.
As we told you, Banner was the babysitter who was taking care of 2 year-old Vernice Rodriguez back in May of 2008. The toddler died due to severe head trauma, and it was determined that she had been beaten in the head with a blunt object.
On May 18, 2008, Ladyville police received reports that a child was being ill-treated at a home in the village. They found Baby Vernice at the KHMH with injuries on both her cheeks, swelling to her forehead, bruises to her entire back, bruises to both legs, and an open wound on her left foot. Banner gave a caution statement to police that that on 2 separate occasions, she used corporal punishment on the baby. In one instance, she hit Baby Vernice with a clothes hangar because the toddler wet herself. She also admitted to lashing the child on another occasion because she did not clean her nose.
Today, Justice Williams handed down his sentence on Banner, ordering her to pay a fine of $2,000. Additionally, she must pay $4,000 in compensation to the baby's family. She has been given until February 2, 2019 to pay, and if she defaults, she will serve 1 year in jail.
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