A woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a man she brutally shook as a baby 35 years ago.
Terry McKirchy was babysitting 6-month-old Benjamin Dowling on July 3, 1984, when Florida prosecutors allege she shook him. NBC News claimed that McKirchy was 22 at the time.
Dowling had “shaken baby syndrome” and cerebral edema, which left him permanently crippled and ultimately contributed to his death, according to a plea document acquired by PEOPLE. He died in September 2019.
Two years later, a Broward County grand jury arrested McKirchy on felony murder charges, and plea bargain discussions began shortly thereafter, according to prosecutors.
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McKirchy was charged with attempted murder in the immediate aftermath of the incident. She pled no guilty to attempted murder and aggravated violence on a kid in 1985 but was sentenced to less than three years probation.
A representative for the Broward County State’s Attorney tells PEOPLE that McKirchy pleaded guilty on Wednesday, August 21.
As part of her plea deal, McKirchy will serve 36 months in prison, with credit for time served. According to the document, after her sentence, she will serve ten years of probation.
McKirchy is also obliged to submit an apology letter and a thorough account of her activities in July 1984 as per PEOPLE.
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According to the plea statement, Dowling’s parents particularly demanded the letter as part of any settlement.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 170 languages.