According to prosecutors, a night nurse from Brooklyn has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for slapping and shaking a premature newborn in a Westchester County home last year. The incident was caught on camera.
During her sentencing, Gwendolyn Blake was given three years of probation and barred from most nursing positions due to her violent act of hitting a 5-week-old infant. The victim’s parents labeled her a significant risk to other families and condemned her actions as being violent.
According to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Blake, who is 40 years old, was responsible for taking care of the newborn of the Town of Mamaroneck’s family on August 30, 2023. Unfortunately, Blake struck the crying baby.
“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”Newborn’s parents
Surveillance footage captured both of the reprehensible occurrences.
In May, Blake pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child, after being arrested on September 5, 2023.
In a victim impact statement, the family of a premature baby expressed their distress over the abuse the child received due to his colicky condition, a result of his low birth weight. The family lamented the lack of love and compassion shown towards the child, who was already in pain. They described the experience as a nightmare for both their family and the community.
“We can never be too cautious when it comes to our children’s safety and well-being. As parents, it’s only natural for us to be concerned about the people they interact with and to take necessary precautions to ensure their protection.”
The district attorney’s office claims that prosecutors pushed for a 60-day prison sentence for the defendant, but Mamaroneck Judge Ronald Meister chose a 30-day jail term.
“She is violent and poses a significant risk to innocent families”Newborn’s parents
According to prosecutors, Blake is prohibited from providing care to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children as part of his probation requirements.
The court has granted a permanent order of protection in the case, which will prohibit Blake from coming near the victim and their family.
According to the family, Gwen Blake was well aware of her actions behind closed doors. They accused her of lying to their faces and carrying out her daily routine without any hint of remorse.
The statement made about her is that she is a violent individual who poses a significant threat to innocent families.
Mimi Rocah, the District Attorney of Westchester, criticized Blake for disregarding her ethical and professional obligations.
In a statement, Rocah expressed hope that the defendant’s sentence would prevent any harm to children in the future.
