UPDATE: Lawrenceburg Man Charged with Murder of 21-Month-Old Child

Jesse Sartin is being held in Dearborn County Jail without bail.

Jesse Sartin. Photo by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.

Update published Monday, August 5 at 3:47 p.m.:

Jesse Sartin made his initial appearance in Dearborn Circuit Court this afternoon. 

Judge Aaron Negangard ordered Sartin be held in Dearborn County Jail without bond, in addition to a no contact order with the victim's mother. 

His decision was based on Sartin's criminal history, probation violations, high risk to reoffend, danger to the community, and overwhelming evidence presented by the state.

According to the prosecution, Sartin originally gave false statements about the victim's injury and eventual death, stating the victim was knocked off an ottoman by a dog. Sartin later allegedly admitted to detectives and in a letter to the victim's mother that he shook the baby for about 20 seconds - leading to a brain hemorrhage. 

Further evidence showed that Sartin was previously convicted of felony possession of methamphetamine and was on probation at the time of the new charges being filed. 

Sartin faces 45-65 years in prison for one count of Murder and 20-40 years for battery Resulting in Death. 

It should be noted that Sartin was previously represented by Judge Negangard when he served as a public defender. Neither Judge Negangard nor Sartin had any recollection of the representation. Both the state and the defendant agree to sign a Waiver of Conflict, which allows Judge Negangard to proceed over the case. 

A pre-trial hearing will be held in October. A jury trial is scheduled for November 18 at 8 AM.  

Original story published Monday, August 5, at 9:48 a.m.:

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A Lawrenceburg man will appear in court today after being charged with the murder of a 21-month-old child.

Jesse Sartin was taken into custody on Friday and charged with Murder and Aggravated Battery Resulting in Death (Level 1 Felony).

Lawrenceburg Police were dispatched to St. Elizabeth Dearborn on July 24 to investigate a head injury to the 21-month-old child. Following the investigation, it was determined that Sartin allegedly shook the child for about 20 seconds.

The child was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where emergency brain surgery was immediately performed to relieve brain swelling and pressure inside the skull. The child passed away on August 1.

Sartin will receive his initial hearing today at 3:00 p.m. before Honorable Circuit Court Judge Aaron Negangard.