5 mo old dead after being left in car seat for 8 days

[darcie]

Parents of Baby Left Alone in Car Seat for 8 Days Face Murder Charges

*snipped*

The charges state the parents' actions or lack thereof, were "brutal and heinous . . . indicative of wanton cruelty," factors that could mean they face up to 100 years in prison if convicted.

The 5-month-old was dropped off at his parents' house on Feb. 4, strapped into his car seat. Eight days later, he was found in the same position, said Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons during a bond hearing for the parents.

"He died from starvation due to neglect from these two defendants, his parents," Lyons said. "It's the worst case of child neglect we have seen since the turn of this century."
The charges state the parents' actions or lack thereof, were "brutal and heinous . . . indicative of wanton cruelty," factors that could mean they face up to 100 years in prison if convicted.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331732,00.html


I can not imagine...Playing video games, watching TC and feeding themselves. 100 years in prison is to good for them.

What in the world is wrong with people?

[desmom]

This just makes me sick. The IL prison system residents are going to love these two.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/022108...RH57AL.064.php

Benjamin Sargent died with his eyes open, fists clenched and strapped into a car seat after eight days without food or water, the county's top prosecutor said Wednesday.............

Hermann's last contact with her son was the night before police were notified. Then, she allegedly told police she "looked at the baby in the crib and presumed he was sleeping so she said she stuck a bottle between the baby and the side of the car seat so that when he woke up, he could grab it and feed himself," Lyons said in open court..........

Hermann then left for Iowa to meet with a man she had met over the Internet, the prosecutor said, noting that she allegedly told police "that Benjamin was not her duty and that it was James' responsibility."

[desmom]

http://www.week.com/news/local/15849117.html
There is a photo of Baby Benjamin. He was precious.

James Sargent's grandfather spoke to News 25 by phone. He said he thought his grandson truly loved baby Benjamin. The grandfather says when he spoke to his grandson Wednesday that Sargent was in tears. But he's not sure whether they were tears of remorse or self–pity.

[mommyjosie]

Why the He!! didn't they give the baby up. I longed for a baby for over 20 years before I finally had my son at age 40! Believe me, many many people would have given their right arm for the privelege of having that baby, and given him/her a loving home!

Oh my God!

[mommyjosie]

Why the He!! didn't they just give that baby up.
I longed for a baby for over 20 years before I finally had my son at age 40!
Believe me, many many people would have given their right arm for the privelege of having that baby, and given him a loving home!

Oh my God!

[Marcia3]

I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop here.

Which will it be, for a defense?

Child abuse suffered by both parents, bi-polar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, poor potty training for both, video game addiction?

[darcie]

Here is Benjamin's obituary. I can't beleive that they put:


*snipped*
Benjamin is survived by his loving parents; a sister, Natalie-Grace Hermann of Peoria;

http://www.legacy.com/pjstar/Obituar...=SEARCHRESULTS




May you rest in peace sweet Benjamin.

[Amy S.]

I do believe this is the (or one of the) worst cases that I know of.

Lincoln, IL

[Jinxie]

OMG! SICK, sick people in this world.

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by Amy S. [*]I do believe this is the (or one of the) worst cases that I know of.

Lincoln, IL [/*]

I have no words.



RIP BENJAMIN SARGENT.

[Dragonfly]

8 days!!!! That's just sick and awful!!!

[FoxySly]

Snippets from the OP's link:

PEORIA — Benjamin Sargent died with his eyes open, fists clenched and strapped into a car seat after eight days without food or water, the county’s top prosecutor said Wednesday.

There Benjamin sat for eight days, most of which both Hermann and Sargent were home, “playing video games, watching TV, feeding and caring for themselves,” Lyons said afterward.


There is much more at the link but WARNING do not read if you have just eat, this is truly a sick horror story. What pathetic sick POS to let this happen to a precious baby.

R.I.P. Benjamin

Sly

[JD1974]

Originally posted by Amy S. [*]I do believe this is the (or one of the) worst cases that I know of.

Lincoln, IL [/*]

I thought they left him in a car, I was like how are they going to explain 8 days!!! Then I seen he was right there in the house with them, they watched and heard him starve to death. I am curious how the 3 year old survived to be that old. What a couple of POS.

ALSO SAID THAT THE MOM CLAIMED SHE WENT TO CHECK ON THE BABY AND THOUGHT HE WAS SLEEPING SO SHE PUT A BOTTLE NEXT TO HIM IN THE CAR SEAT. HE WAS 5 MONTHS I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS BUT MY LITTLE ONE WAS CERTAINTLY NOT FEEDING HIMSELF AT 5 MONTHS. ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS 10LBS AND WEIGHED 8 LBS AT BIRTH.

THIS IS THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE. SHOULDN'T THERE BE SOME KIND OF SCREANING BEFORE WE LET PEOPLE TAKE THEIR KIDS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING. I KNOW THAT'S NOT REALLY FAIR TO THE PEOPLE THAT ADORE THEIR CHILDREN AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN BUT IT WOULD STOP A LOT OF THIS CRAP IN THE WORLD. I'M JUST SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT KIDS DYING AND NOT EVEN GETTING THE CHANCE TO BECOME THE GREAT PERSON THAT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN!

THIS IS SO FRUSTRAING TO ME AS A MOTHER!

[anais2005]

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/boling...ews/x288019564

pictures of parents,

Poor baby.

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by anais2005 [*]http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/boling...ews/x288019564

pictures of parents, [/*]

Am I just looking for EVIL or do the eyes instantly jump off the page at you?

I am so appalled and saddened I really just can't even address what they have done to this baby. It makes me CRY to even think about it.

JMO.

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by ppkpdp05 [*]ALSO SAID THAT THE MOM CLAIMED SHE WENT TO CHECK ON THE BABY AND THOUGHT HE WAS SLEEPING SO SHE PUT A BOTTLE NEXT TO HIM IN THE CAR SEAT. HE WAS 5 MONTHS I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS BUT MY LITTLE ONE WAS CERTAINTLY NOT FEEDING HIMSELF AT 5 MONTHS. ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS 10LBS AND WEIGHED 8 LBS AT BIRTH.

THIS IS THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE. SHOULDN'T THERE BE SOME KIND OF SCREANING BEFORE WE LET PEOPLE TAKE THEIR KIDS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING. I KNOW THAT'S NOT REALLY FAIR TO THE PEOPLE THAT ADORE THEIR CHILDREN AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN BUT IT WOULD STOP A LOT OF THIS CRAP IN THE WORLD. I'M JUST SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT KIDS DYING AND NOT EVEN GETTING THE CHANCE TO BECOME THE GREAT PERSON THAT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN!

THIS IS SO FRUSTRAING TO ME AS A MOTHER! [/*]

You betcha. We need a license to FISH, HUNT, SELL HOMES, BUT YOU CAN HAVE A BABY and NEVER HAVE A CLUE about raising them.

I AM TOTALLY ENRAGED thinking about this and what should happen to these two inhumane beings.

[Brooke]

Originally posted by anais2005 [*]http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/boling...ews/x288019564

pictures of parents, [/*]

Your link does not work

Originally posted by CANDYKISSES [*]

You betcha. We need a license to FISH, HUNT, SELL HOMES, BUT YOU CAN HAVE A BABY and NEVER HAVE A CLUE about raising them.

I AM TOTALLY ENRAGED thinking about this and what should happen to these two inhumane beings. [/*]

I'M GLAD SOMEONE ELSE FEELS THIS WAY. I HAVE THOUGHT THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME LIKE SOME KIND OF PSYCHIATRIC SCREENING OR SOMETHING. IT SEEMS YOU JUST HEAR MORE AND MORE ABOUT THIS KIND OF THING! LIKE MOMS LEAVING THIER KIDS IN THE CAR AND THEN SAYING THEY JUST FORGOT THEM! I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN JUST FORGET ABOUT YOUR KID I THINK ABOUT MINE ALL DAY EVEN WHEN I'MAT WORK HE'S ALWAYS THE FIRST AND LAST THING ON MY MIND SO MUCH THAT SOMETIMES I FEEL I SHOUD JUST GO HOME AND TAKE THE REST OF THE DAY OFF. WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?

[anais2005]

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/boling...ews/x288019564

try again, the first one still works for me

[Nova]

These two should burn in he$$ ...
Their behavior so CRUEL and CALLOUS. They aren't worthy of being referred to as human beings ... they are ANIMALS.

For Benjamin
RIP Little Angel

[anais2005]

http://www.week.com/news/local/15849117.html

baby Benjamin, photo

[Pretty Leaf]

Link worked for me

I just threw up, for real

[JD1974]

Originally posted by Marcia3 [*]I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop here.

Which will it be, for a defense?

Child abuse suffered by both parents, bi-polar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, poor potty training for both, video game addiction? [/*]

I am really sick of seeing the bi-polar thing on here. I have been bi-polar probably all my life, only medicated for 2 years. I have SIX kids all of them are accounted for! The ones who are in school are on the honor roll. It is hard as heck to be bi-polar but I am sick of people throwing it out there as an excuse or seeing it out there as a joke to what maybe someone will use.

ETA There is NO excuse for what these people did.

Originally posted by CANDYKISSES [*]

You betcha. We need a license to FISH, HUNT, SELL HOMES, BUT YOU CAN HAVE A BABY and NEVER HAVE A CLUE about raising them.

I AM TOTALLY ENRAGED thinking about this and what should happen to these two inhumane beings. [/*]

Unworkable, I do understand your frustration, I say we admit sex ed in public schools is a total failure and return to teaching no sex before marriage.

[CANDYKISSES]

Who here wouldn't have taken that baby into your home and loved him unconditionally?

What a travesty. There is no soul left in some humans, of that I am convinced.

How could you possibly walk by that baby who had to be sitting in his own waste, and stick a bottle beside him?

I really just can't get over this, I can't. The sadness is all the way down in the pit of my stomach. Benjamin should be rolling around, smiling and playing with his sweet baby toes.

WHAT A HORRIFIC CRIME and I would want nothing less than the same treatment for these two monsters.

JMO and I know it is not popular.

Originally posted by anais2005 [*]http://www.week.com/news/local/15849117.html

baby Benjamin, photo [/*]

Thank you, he was perfect.


The comments were a good read too.

[FoxySly]

Unbelievable that monsters like this exist

What hell this precious infant endured while those in charge of him played video games!

And what nightmares for those officials that had to deal with this horror.

One article said the 3 year was living with relatives but now in custody of Child Services. I now wonder about those the 3 year old was living with.

I'd like to see these two locked up in a cell wallpapered with photos of precious Benjamin, his dead little fist clutch tightly. And I pray they never play another video game.

I can not understand a mind that would rather play a video game than playing and taking care of their own Child. Being a Mom was/is the greatest joy in my life.

Sly
' '
' '
' '

Originally posted by CANDYKISSES [*]Who here wouldn't have taken that baby into your home and loved him unconditionally?

What a travesty. There is no soul left in some humans, of that I am convinced.

How could you possibly walk by that baby who had to be sitting in his own waste, and stick a bottle beside him?

I really just can't get over this, I can't. The sadness is all the way down in the pit of my stomach. Benjamin should be rolling around, smiling and playing with his sweet baby toes.

WHAT A HORRIFIC CRIME and I would want nothing less than the same treatment for these two monsters.

JMO and I know it is not popular. [/*]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU THAT'S THE OTHER THING IF YOU DON'T WANT A BABY ADN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LOVE AND CARE FOR IT THEN GIVE IT TO SOMEONE WHO WILL AND CAN! THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT CHILDREN AND CAN'T HAVE THEM! GIVE THOSE PEOPLE A CHANCE!

FOR THE LOVE OF PETE! THIS IS JUST TERRIBLE!

[TobyWong]

OMG
This is so unimaginable!!! In the home with the baby!! Gave him a bottle to feed himself the day before the police arrived? And she did'nt notice him dying!!!!
I did'nt see evil in her eyes, I saw complete stupidity and arrogance. Hopefully that will be taken care of in prison. I cannot believe how much tax money is spent on POS like this. On every police force there should be a terminator for cases like this!! JMO

[FoxySly]

Originally posted by CANDYKISSES [*]Who here wouldn't have taken that baby into your home and loved him unconditionally?

What a travesty. There is no soul left in some humans, of that I am convinced.

How could you possibly walk by that baby who had to be sitting in his own waste, and stick a bottle beside him?

I really just can't get over this, I can't. The sadness is all the way down in the pit of my stomach. Benjamin should be rolling around, smiling and playing with his sweet baby toes.

WHAT A HORRIFIC CRIME and I would want nothing less than the same treatment for these two monsters.

JMO and I know it is not popular. [/*]

I would have taken him! I tell my Son I should get his first born for growing up on me.

And your ideal that these monsters should go through what they put precious Benjamin through is what should be done IMO.

Sly

[happy2bme]

Fly with the Angels sweet Benjamin. You are in a much better place.

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by FoxySly [*]

I would have taken him! I tell my Son I should get his first born for growing up on me.

And your ideal that these monsters should go through what they put precious Benjamin through is what should be done IMO.

Sly [/*]

So Sly, do you see something almost haunting in the eyes of both these people?

They look so dark, but maybe it's the camera angle since I seem to see it in both or maybe I have my radar on high alert for EVIL these days.

Every time I pull up little Benjamin's photo, I cry. I've shown it to all three of my grown kids now and it's totally foreign to them too. They are of that age group but can't think of anyone they know from school or life now that would be capable of such a heinous act.

Also, that photo looks like he weighed more than ten pounds. I wonder when that was taken and how much weight he lost as he starved to the weight of ten pounds?

[CANDYKISSES]

Originally posted by ppkpdp05 [*]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU THAT'S THE OTHER THING IF YOU DON'T WANT A BABY ADN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LOVE AND CARE FOR IT THEN GIVE IT TO SOMEONE WHO WILL AND CAN! THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT CHILDREN AND CAN'T HAVE THEM! GIVE THOSE PEOPLE A CHANCE!

FOR THE LOVE OF PETE! THIS IS JUST TERRIBLE! [/*]

Baby Benjamin deserved so much better and I hope they checked every avenue to see why SS didn't have custody of this baby.

Also, I want to know who had the three year old and why SS had to take her.

I would scoop that little one up in a hurry and never look back.

[n/t]

Poor baby. I don't know what to say. Just breaks my heart knowing what he went through.

Originally posted by JD1974 [*]


I am really sick of seeing the bi-polar thing on here. I have been bi-polar probably all my life, only medicated for 2 years. I have SIX kids all of them are accounted for! The ones who are in school are on the honor roll. It is hard as heck to be bi-polar but I am sick of people throwing it out there as an excuse or seeing it out there as a joke to what maybe someone will use.

ETA There is NO excuse for what these people did. [/*]

i think that she as meaning that the "parents" will try to use that as a defense...which means it gives people who have bi-polar a raw deal....it happens more than we would like to admit. some people of no use of a brain when it comes to something like this...just to get their own butt off. imo

for you JD
and for baby ben

[Amy S.]

Yes, I would have taken that baby, even though my youngest is 19 and my kids are on allert that my child raising days are over.

I note that the "father" was adopted. It seems that the news always throws that it - but I always wonder if their was something genetic, that we don't know about.

And did you read that the "mother" appears to be "put out" due to the court proceedings?

Originally posted by Amy S. [*]Yes, I would have taken that baby, even though my youngest is 19 and my kids are on allert that my child raising days are over.

I note that the "father" was adopted. It seems that the news always throws that it - but I always wonder if their was something genetic, that we don't know about.

And did you read that the "mother" appears to be "put out" due to the court proceedings? [/*]

WHAT DOES PUT OUT MEAN THOUGH? I FEEL PUT OUT ALL THE TIME WITH WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE DAY I HAVE TO DO. I STILL LOVE AND CARE FOR MY BABY. HE'S NUMBER ONE NO MATTER WHAT THE OTHER THINGS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE!

IS THAT WHAT THEY MEAN BY PUT OUT?

[Amy S.]

In IL. social services is called DCFS.

My husband used to work in the governor's office and all of the reports of child neglect went across his desk, every morning. He finally had to quit looking at them (it wasn't his job, at all).

Child abuse is awful.

I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around this one.

I wonder if they drugged the baby? He would have been screaming, after just an hour or so.