Eric Oakman Gets Prison Term for Shaking Infant Son
Eric T. Oakman, 31 of Wilmington, NC got eight to 10 years in the joint for shaking his infant son, Eric Jr. hard enough to cause brain damage and a broken wrist. Eric Jr. was only three months old when his father shook him. He’s now 11 months old and can’t sit up or hold a toy.
The defense blamed Eric Jr.’s other caregivers, and claimed the injuries could have happened when Eric Jr. fell off a bed while strapped in his car seat. However, doctors testified that the baby suffered hemorrhaging in both eyes and bleeding around the brain, trauma that is consistent with child abuse and shaken baby syndrome. Injuries like Eric Jr.’s aren’t accidental, they’re inflicted.
There was an interesting wrinkle in the case. Oakman was found guilty of one count of felony child abuse, but actually he was on trial for two counts of abuse. The presiding judge screwed up and forgot to submit the second count to the jury - whoops - but he doesn’t think fixing the mistake will make much of a difference in the dad’s jail term. Oakman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on one count. If he gets another 10-year sentence, he’ll probably serve it at the same time as the first.
Judges asleep at the wheel is one thing. But letting this guy out when he’s still young enough to make another baby to shake just stinks.
Tags: baby, bleeding, brain-injury, broken-wrist, child-abuse, Eric-T.-Oakman, felony, hemorrhaging, prison, shaken-baby-syndrome, Wilmington-NCRelated Stories
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6 opinions for Eric Oakman Gets Prison Term for Shaking Infant Son
Bridget
Feb 12, 2007 at 11:54 pm
What a POS. He’s a hulking brute and he shook a 3 month old baby that was probably just hungry or sleepy. Their needs are so simple at that age, as long as they are healthy, and they are so fragile and so precious.My son is a year old and I rejoice in his growth. But he is the only child I’ll ever have and that tiny baby stage is so fleeting.Three months, when they are just recognizing you and showing joy at the sight of your face. How can anyone do this to such a tiny,precious being?I’ll pray for this little guy, maybe he’s just a little delayed because of vision issues due to the monster that’s his father. And doesn’t that s*umbag look repentant, yeah sure he does,arrogant prick.
Lisa
Feb 13, 2007 at 2:53 pm
The things I’m reading are unbelievable (about all these cases). The Oakman guy had no business being a “father” to begin with, especially if he thinks it’s ok to put an infant IN THE CARSEAT while ON THE BED. Then had the nerve to try to say that’s what caused the injuries.
Do you have any idea how many years I prayed to have the daughter I’ve always wanted? I prayed ten long years, and I won’t let anyone watch her. There are some very twisted people in the world today, and I don’t trust anyone. I love my baby sooooo much, and she knows it. I never want her to experience any pain whatsoever, so I’m constantly asking the Lord to let me live to see her grow into adulthood. By the way, my princess is ten months old now.
I love my B-A-B-Y….she is helpless, and it is a mother’s job to love and care for their child; not abuse, neglect, or kill him/her.
Lisa
Feb 13, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Testing because I posted a response, but it didn’t go through.
Francine Piatigorski
Feb 15, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I may not like babies sometimes, but it doesn’t mean they should get hurt!
miajemell
Jul 31, 2007 at 9:49 am
He’s such a bag of scum! Maybe someone should whip his ass! That will teach him!
rockdoll_71
Oct 5, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Eight to ten years?!!! What a joke!
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