Former Iowa day care provider sentenced after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in baby’s death
By Marcus McIntosh
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ATLANTIC, Iowa (KCCI) — A southwest Iowa day care provider entered her plea to involuntary manslaughter for the death of a baby boy and was sentenced on Thursday.
“Guilty,” said Alison Dorsey, saying she unintentionally caused the infant’s death.
Alison Dorsey entered her plea in a packed Cass County courtroom in Atlantic and was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday. She told the court she was caring for 11-week-old Luka Hodges in 2019 when she unintentionally caused his death by rocking him in her arms harder than she should have.
“I was carrying for LH. I picked him up as he was fussy and wouldn’t eat. I rocked him in my arms harder than I should have. I regret it. I unintentionally caused LH’s death,” said Alison Dorsey, pleading guilty.
Cass County Judge Richard Davidson accepted her guilty plea and sentenced her to up to 5 years in prison with credit for time already served.
Dorsey is also required to pay $150,000 in restitution to the boy’s family.
“I don’t believe there is any care or much remorse for what happened. I don’t believe she deserves any forgiveness … and I most certainly … she won’t get any from me,” said Nick Hodges, the infant’s father.
“We ask that the defendant receive a must stay for the max possible sentence. It is the only measure of justice available to us. And the only protection for children and families crossing paths with her,” said Caitlin Hodges, the infant’s mother.
Dorsey was originally charged with the boy’s murder in 2019. Her first trial ended with a hung jury; the second found her guilty of second-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death before it was overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court last year.
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