Details have emerged about the appalling mistreatment suffered by a newborn as his mother faced consequences for her involvement in his tragic death.
Kristie Lee Willmot’s infant son, Michael Willmot, met his demise in 2021 when he was a mere 37 days old. Willmot and her partner at the time, Robert Alan Gee, were initially accused of the baby’s murder after he was discovered unconscious in a Logan carpark in 2021. However, they both admitted to lesser charges during their recent court appearance.
Willmot admitted to committing acts of cruelty toward children under 16 years old between June 10-15, 2021. On the other hand, Gee confessed to a single count of manslaughter and declined any further comments, according to news.com.au.
Court proceedings revealed that Willmot would visit Gee at his Logan caravan park and had left baby Michael under Gee’s supervision for a brief period while she went to procure drugs for an acquaintance.
In that short span, Michael became agitated and frustrated, leading Gee to violently shake the baby briefly before tossing him onto a couch. Gee then messaged Willmot, falsely claiming that Michael was fine and asleep.
Subsequently, Michael’s health deteriorated over the following days. He exhibited a high fever, refused to eat, and was in evident distress. Instead of seeking medical help, Willmot documented the symptoms on her phone and discussed the situation with Gee via text.
In a text message, Willmot admitted, “I think I should have taken him to the hospital the other night. Now I don’t know what to do. He’s not getting better and truly scaring me.” She expressed concerns about potential repercussions from child services due to neglect suspicions.
The court was informed that Michael struggled to feed, prompting Willmot to resort to using a syringe to feed him. Tragically, on June 14, 2021, Michael ceased breathing and was pronounced dead by paramedics, four days after sustaining injuries. An autopsy revealed severe injuries consistent with shaking.
A Crown prosecutor remarked that Willmot’s failure to fulfill her maternal duties caused harm to the child during that period.
While Willmot was not directly responsible for her child’s demise, her culpability lay in her failure to act, knowing the consequences. Justice Martin Burns emphasized that although Willmot was not present when Michael was harmed, she should have noticed his declining health upon returning.
Willmot received a four-year suspended jail sentence, having already served time in custody, and was released. Gee’s sentencing is scheduled for November 13.