Fostoria, OH – A 25-year-old Ohio father has been sentenced to more than 25 years in prison after admitting to fatally shaking and squeezing his 4-month-old son, ending the infant’s life earlier this year. The sentencing brings closure to a devastating case that left an entire family shattered.
The Incident: Infant Found Unresponsive in Family Home
On February 11, 2025, officers with the Fostoria Police Department responded to a 911 call from Joseph D. Bonito, who reported that his baby son, Carson J. Bonito, was unresponsive at their home in the 1500 block of North Countyline Street.
Bonito told the emergency dispatcher that he had last checked on his son about three hours earlier to feed him but returned to find the child “white” and “not responding.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong,” Bonito told the dispatcher.
When first responders arrived, they immediately began life-saving measures and rushed the infant to ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, but despite all efforts, Carson was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigation and Evidence of Abuse
Authorities soon determined that Carson’s death was not accidental. Medical examiners found that the baby had suffered multiple injuries consistent with abuse, including trauma typically seen in shaken baby syndrome.
During police questioning, Bonito admitted to physically abusing his son the day before his death.
“It sounds like it was a shaking baby-type incident with possibly some squeezing of the baby,” said Fostoria Police Chief Gabe Wedge at a news conference following the infant’s death.
Bonito’s admission, coupled with the medical findings, led investigators to conclude that severe force had been used, ultimately causing fatal internal and head injuries.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Bonito was originally charged with murder, but in a plea agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felonious assault.
On Monday, Wood County Common Pleas Judge Mary “Molly” L. Mack sentenced Bonito to 25 to 31½ years in prison. The sentence includes:
- 11 to 16½ years for involuntary manslaughter
- 7 years for each felonious assault charge
The judge ordered the sentences to run consecutively, ensuring Bonito serves each term back-to-back.
During the hearing, Bonito declined to speak in his defense. His attorney said his client had accepted responsibility and expressed remorse for what had happened.
Family’s Reaction: “I Lost Everything I Found Beautiful in This World”
The baby’s mother, Emma Shultz, delivered a heart-wrenching statement in court, describing the profound grief her family continues to endure.
“I will remember how happy he was and how his handsome smile would light up an entire room,” Shultz said. “He deserved a lot more time than he was given. I truly felt I lost everything I found beautiful in this world.”
She shared that her surviving child, parents, and siblings have all suffered immeasurable pain since Carson’s death.
“This feeling that a piece of me is missing will never go away,” she said. “I don’t understand, and I likely never will.”
Prosecutors commended Shultz and her family for their strength and cooperation throughout the investigation and trial, saying their courage ensured justice for Carson.
Background Context: A Tragic Case of Infant Abuse
Infant abuse cases like this remain among the most distressing for law enforcement. Medical experts warn that shaken baby syndrome can cause catastrophic injuries in just seconds, including brain swelling, internal bleeding, and death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such cases are preventable through early parental education and intervention programs aimed at helping caregivers manage stress and avoid violent reactions during childcare.
Community members in Fostoria have expressed grief and outrage over Carson’s death, calling for greater awareness of infant safety and support for young parents struggling with stress or isolation.
Ongoing Developments and Aftermath
Bonito will serve his sentence in an Ohio state correctional facility, with credit for time already served since his arrest in February. He will also remain under post-release supervision after completing his prison term.
The Fostoria Police Department and Wood County prosecutors said the case should serve as a reminder that child abuse will be met with the strongest possible legal consequences.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Joseph D. Bonito marks the end of a harrowing case that claimed the life of a baby who had barely begun to live. As the family continues to mourn Carson’s death, the community remembers a little boy whose “smile could light up an entire room” — and a tragedy that underscores the need for compassion, education, and vigilance in protecting children from harm.
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