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Father Accused of Shaking Baby to Death
12 Jun
Summary
- A father faces murder charges for allegedly shaking his four-week-old son.
- The infant died in hospital after being found unresponsive at home.
- The trial heard the incident occurred during the parents' first night out.
A father is on trial, accused of fatally shaking his four-week-old son, Atticus. The prosecution asserts that Tony Bartlett violently shook the infant while he was briefly alone with the baby, leading to severe brain and spinal cord injuries. The incident allegedly happened on the evening of July 16, 2022, shortly after the baby's parents had returned from their first night out since Atticus's birth.
Atticus was found unresponsive by his mother, Evelyn Ballentyne, who described him as "lifeless." Paramedics were called to the family home in Chard, Somerset, and the baby was taken to the hospital. He remained in critical condition and passed away a week later, on July 23, 2022. Bartlett, from Axminster in Devon, has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges.
During the trial at Bristol Crown Court, jurors heard that the baby had been fussy and crying that evening. Prosecutors suggested Bartlett became frustrated and shook Atticus with extreme force, intending to cause serious harm. The defense's case is that any injuries were not caused by Bartlett, and he bears no responsibility for his son's death.
