A Pennsylvania father admitted to shaking his infant son multiple times, which eventually led to his death. Now, the father will spend the next 15 to 30 years in prison for the crime.
Bristol Borough police responded to a 911 call regarding an infant in cardiac arrest on May 24, 2023. Officers attempted CPR and took the baby to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. An investigation led to the infant's father, Tyler Sullivan, as the prime suspect.
According to a news release from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office issued in May 2023, a doctor examined the infant and found multiple injuries consistent with that of a battered child. Sullivan was arrested May 25, 2023, and charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault, and he was held without bail in Bucks County Correctional Facility.
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Sullivan reportedly admitted to ongoing abuse.
When police arrived at the apartment on May 24, 2023, it was evident the child had signs of traumas. Per police, officers arrived around 11:35 p.m. and found the infant was not breathing and was cold to the touch. He was taken to Lower Bucks Hospital and pronounced dead at 12:01 p.m.
Sullivan reportedly admitted to violently shaking the baby on at least two occasions on May 24 and at least six times in the six weeks prior.
The infant's mother was devastated.
According to a news release from the district attorney, the baby's mother, Madison Neidlein, and the baby's aunt each gave impact statements at a sentencing hearing on August 27, 2024. The mother said she was never able to go back to the apartment she shared with Sullivan and their son and that she's been plagued with nightmares since his death.
"My baby deserved to live a long, happy, wonderful life," she said, per the release.
The baby's aunt echoed her statement and said the death left a "hole in our hearts that can never be filled. We will miss him forever."
Sullivan could spend decades in jail.
Common Pleas Judge Gary B. Gilman sentenced Sullivan to 15 to 30 years in state prison. He also was ordered to seek mental health treatment. The father made a lengthy statement in court, saying, "how guilty and ashamed I am."
Gilman added, "There is no denying that this is a tragedy from start to finish."
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A friend created a GoFundMe account for Neidlein.
The fundraiser has raised nearly $11,000 of a $12,000 goal thus far.
"Her whole life has been completely turned upside down and a small weight would be lifted off her shoulder if expenses were not another stress she has to worry about," the friend Grace Davis, wrote on the page. "She was the only provider for her family, working 2 jobs from 7 am to 11 pm monday through friday. She could use this money for bills, food, and rent so she can take enough time off to process the loss."
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
