There are some people so vile it’s hard to believe that such evil can exist in our world. Crimes against innocent children are some of the most difficult stories to cover. We will never understand how an adult can lose control and intentionally harm, and sometimes even kill, a child. Jesse Sartin of Indiana is one of those monsters. While watching his girlfriend’s 20-month-old daughter, Caroline Ruth Boggs, he apparently lost his ever-loving mind. Now he’s headed to prison for the next 35 years. In our opinion, it should be 35 life sentences.
Sartin violently shook Caroline.
According to a news release from Dearborn-Ohio Counties Prosecutor Lynn Deddens, Sartin watched Caroline on March 24, 2024. During this time, her mother, Courtney Conn, entrusted Sartin with caring for Caroline and showing her love and compassion. Instead, he violently shook her for at least 20 seconds. No matter what she might have done, the innocent toddler did not deserve what happened to her.
Doctors made a horrific discovery.
Sartin and Conn rushed Caroline to St. Elizabeth Dearborn in Indiana, before EMS airlifted her to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, according to court documents obtained by Law & Crime. When examining Caroline, doctors noticed her brain was leaking “through her ears.” Sartin’s rage caused the child to have catastrophic brain injuries. She died of her injuries months later, on August 1, 2024.
Deddens said that at first, Sartin provided untrue statements to the police about what really happened to Caroline. He ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery resulting in death.
Caroline’s death devastated her loved ones and authorities.
Anita Patrick, Caroline’s grandmother, shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook on March 19, 2026.
“I did the hardest thing I had to do. I gave a impact statement for my grandbaby Caroline Ruth Boggs. I looked her killer in the face like I wanted to. The only thing harder than this was her funeral,” she wrote. “Now we wait until tomorrow at 2:30 for sentence to be handed down. I feel just absolutely exhausted, mentally, physically, and most of all emotionally.”
Deddens pointed out that Caroline should never have died such a horrific death.
“This case represents a devastating and preventable loss of life,” she shared in a statement. “Caroline was a healthy, loved child who depended on adults to protect her. Instead, she suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of someone entrusted with her care while her mother was at work. This sentence reflects the seriousness of that betrayal and ensures the defendant is held accountable.”
The court sentenced Sartin to 35 years in prison and an additional five years of probation upon his release. At that time, he will not be allowed to have any contact with children.
That’s all fine and good, but these are the kind of crimes that make us want to bring back “an eye for an eye.” What would this big, tough man do if someone shook him so hard his brains began to leak from his ears? Unfortunately, we’ll likely never know.
