New information has emerged regarding the severe mistreatment suffered by an infant following the sentencing of a mother involved in her son’s tragic demise.
The tragic incident involved Kristie Lee Willmot’s son, Michael Willmot, who tragically lost his life in 2021 at just 37 days old. Initially facing murder charges for the baby’s death after he was discovered unresponsive in a Logan carpark, Willmot and her former partner, Robert Alan Gee, recently pleaded guilty to amended charges.
Willmot admitted guilt to acts of cruelty towards children under 16 between June 10-15, 2021, while Gee pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Reports from news.com.au indicate that Gee, when prompted, remained silent in court, only responding negatively.
According to court proceedings, Willmot would visit Gee at a Logan caravan park, leaving baby Michael in his care for a brief period while she went to procure drugs for an acquaintance.
During that time, Michael became agitated and upset, prompting Gee to violently shake the infant and throw him onto a couch. Gee then messaged Willmot, falsely claiming that Michael was “well and asleep.”
Over the subsequent days, the baby’s health deteriorated significantly. Showing signs of distress with a high fever and refusal to eat, it was acknowledged in court that the infant would have been in considerable pain. Instead of seeking medical help, Willmot documented some symptoms on her phone and conversed with Gee via text about potential causes.
In a text message, Willmot expressed regret, stating, “I believe I should have taken him to the hospital the other night… Now I’m at a loss. He’s not improving and truly frightening me.” She also mentioned concerns about the involvement of child services due to potential neglect.
The court learned that the baby struggled to feed, leading Willmot to resort to using a syringe for formula administration. Tragically, on June 14, 2021, Michael ceased breathing and was pronounced dead by paramedics, four days after sustaining the injuries. An autopsy revealed severe injuries consistent with violent shaking.
A Crown prosecutor highlighted that Willmot’s negligence as a mother resulted in harm to the child during that period. While Willmot cooperated with authorities, she concealed her drug procurement activities during the incident when Gee harmed the child.
Although Willmot was not directly responsible for the child’s death, her actions, or lack thereof, implied she should have foreseen the fatal consequences of her inaction.
Justice Martin Burns remarked that there was no evidence suggesting Willmot was present when Gee harmed her son or was aware of the incident. However, upon returning and witnessing the infant’s declining health, she should have recognized the gravity of the situation.
Willmot received a four-year suspended jail sentence, having already served time in custody, and was released. Gee’s sentencing is scheduled for November 13.
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