Birth Parents Of Malnourished Infant Who Went Into Cardiac Arrest Receive Sentence

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — An infant's birth parents have been sentenced in the child abuse of their baby who went into cardiac arrest at seven months old and weighed less than eight pounds.

On Jan. 2, 2020, the baby of Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison was taken to Johns Hopkins in cardiac arrest and suffering from severe malnutrition, authorities said.

Authorities immediately began an investigation focusing on how Slaseman and Harrison cared for the infant. Doctors kept the baby at the hospital and determined that the infant wasn't being fed. In less than four weeks, the baby gained three pounds with regular and appropriate nutrition, court documents said.

After several trial delays, both defendants pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse and Harrison was sentenced that same day to 20 years in prison, suspending all but 15 years to serve. Recently, Slaseman was sentenced to 20 years, suspending all but 15 years to serve.

The baby's adoptive mother was present at both sentencing hearings and provided a statement to the court, noting the baby is "thriving" under her care and is "a light in her family’s life."

“I’m thankful today that this story has a happy ending, an ending where this innocent child is thriving, loved and no longer suffering at the hands of her abusers. All the work we do is important, but in cases such as this, it is truly life changing. I’m so grateful for the incredible team of medical personnel, law enforcement, advocates and prosecutors who stepped in to fight for this child and to ensure her safety, health and growth moving forward," said State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey.