Night Nurse Repeatedly Hit Colicky Preemie: Westchester DA

MAMARONECK, NY — A night nurse who repeatedly struck an infant in Mamaroneck has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and prohibited from working with the elderly, the young or any other vulnerable population, County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced.

The Brooklyn woman was accused of endangering the 5-week-old infant while employed as a night nurse. On Aug. 30, 2023, at 6 a.m., Gwendolyn Blake struck the baby while he was crying. On the following day, she repeatedly slapped the infant’s face, grabbed his head and shook him. Both incidents were captured on surveillance video, the DA said.

In a statement to the court, the victim’s parents said: “This is a preemie who is colicky because of his low birth weight and instead of being treated with love and compassion, he was abused for being in pain ... This has been a nightmare for our sons, our family, and our community. We will never be able to trust anyone with our children and are overly skeptical of anyone they interact with. .. Gwen Blake knew what she was doing behind closed doors, lied to our faces, and went about her business every single day seemingly without a care in the world. She is violent and poses a significant risk to innocent families.”

Following an investigation, the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department arrested her on Sept. 5, 2023.

"This defendant violated her professional and moral responsibilities when she repeatedly struck a defenseless newborn in her care," Rocah said. "We hope that today’s sentence ensures the defendant will not be able to harm any other children in the future.”

In addition to 30 days in jail, the 40-year-old was also sentenced to three years of probation by Judge Ronald Meister in the Town of Mamaroneck Justice Court over the two misdemeanor counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child to which she pleaded guilty in May.

As a condition of her probation, she is prohibited from working with the elderly, the young or any other vulnerable population. The court also issued a permanent order of protection. The DA’s Office recommended 60 days of incarceration.

Anyone who may have information about other possible victims can contact the DA’s Office Child Abuse Bureau at (914) 995-3000.