Sarasota, Florida – A Florida mother convicted in the death of her 14-week-old son has learned her sentence after a court found she was responsible for the severe head injuries that killed the infant.
Court Delivers Sentence in Infant Manslaughter Case
Lily Scheip, 35, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in state prison after being found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her baby son, Dominic, court records show. She was originally charged with second-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced after prosecutors determined there was no malicious intent.
Scheip has been in custody since her arrest in March 2022. With credit for time already served, she is expected to spend approximately five more years behind bars, followed by four years of probation.
What Happened the Night Dominic Was Found Unresponsive
According to a probable cause affidavit, Sarasota police responded to a 911 call on Nov. 8, 2021, after a neighbor saw Scheip run from her home carrying her infant son. The neighbor contacted emergency services as Scheip sought help from another nearby resident who worked as a nurse and attempted to perform CPR on the baby.
Paramedics arrived to find Dominic unresponsive. Emergency crews continued resuscitation efforts before transporting him to a hospital, where doctors placed him on life support.
Medical staff soon noticed signs of head trauma and determined there was no brain activity. Dominic remained hospitalized for several days before being pronounced dead on Nov. 11, 2021.
Autopsy Revealed Serious Head Trauma
Although doctors initially observed no visible external injuries, an autopsy later revealed alarming findings. The medical examiner documented bruising on the head, a previous skull fracture, and a brain bleed. Dominic’s death was officially ruled a homicide caused by serious head trauma.
Hospital physicians told investigators that, based on the nature of the injuries, Scheip was “the only person who could have delivered the blunt force impacts” responsible for the infant’s death.
Investigators Focused on Time Alone With the Baby
Police noted in the affidavit that on the day Dominic was hospitalized, Scheip was alone at home with the baby and the couple’s older child for most of the day. Her husband was reportedly away from the residence during that time.
Scheip told investigators she attempted to feed Dominic a bottle around 9 p.m., but he refused and appeared drowsy. She said she placed him in his bassinet and watched television with her older son for about 20 minutes. When she returned to check on the baby, she found him unresponsive.
Prior Injury Raised Additional Concerns
During questioning, Scheip admitted to a previous incident in September 2021, when she said she accidentally dropped Dominic from a recliner while burping him. Investigators later learned the infant had suffered a series of injuries since his birth in August 2021, for which Scheip could not provide clear explanations.
These findings became central to the prosecution’s case, ultimately leading to criminal charges.
Charge Reduced Before Trial
Before the case went to trial, defense attorneys successfully argued that there was no evidence of malicious intent, prompting the court to reduce the charge from second-degree murder to manslaughter.
A jury found Scheip guilty on Aug. 15, clearing the way for sentencing.
Emotional Statements at Sentencing Hearing
The sentencing hearing was marked by emotional testimony from both sides of the family.
Scheip’s parents spoke in her defense. Her mother told the court:
“I can’t imagine, in my wildest imagination, her hurting my grandson intentionally.”
However, members of the child’s paternal family urged the judge to impose the maximum 15-year sentence. Scheip’s brother-in-law addressed the court, saying:
“Dominic’s death has cast a permanent shadow over our family. And it has aged my parents before my eyes.”
Prosecutor Says Sentence Falls Short
Assistant State Attorney Karen Fraivillig also expressed disappointment with the outcome, despite acknowledging the judge’s reasoning.
“Ten years is not enough,” she told the court. “Nevertheless, I understand the judge’s rationale.”
Case Leaves Lasting Impact
The case has drawn attention in Florida to the complexities of infant injury investigations and the emotional toll such tragedies place on families and first responders. While the court determined Scheip did not act with malicious intent, the findings made clear that her actions led to irreversible harm.
As Scheip begins serving the remainder of her sentence, the loss of 14-week-old Dominic continues to resonate deeply with those who knew him.
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