BUCYRUS — Jason Gillison of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday to change his plea.
Gillison pleaded guilty to one count of felonious assault, a second-degree felony punishable with up to eight years in prison. Gillison, 27, was charged with the felonious assault after his child was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The child’s mother is currently in prison for child endangerment.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that this case had been pre-tried several times over the last six months.
“During the six months of pre-trials, this child has been fighting death every day,” Hoovler said. “As a parent, this is an especially difficult case for me. We are put on this earth to have children that we should love, protect and care for.”
Hoovler told the court that for every day the father is in prison, the child will be fighting for its life. Hoovler commended the paternal grandparents who now have custody and care for the child.
“I can’t imagine how a father can assault his child like this,” Hoovler said. “But for the love of these wonderful grandparents this child would not make it.”
Before passing sentence, Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold allowed the grandparents to make a victim impact statement. The child’s grandfather spoke for the family. He said his grandson fights daily for developmental skills. They take the child once a week to Delaware so that the child, who is now one year old, may learn to eat.
There is no certainty that eating can be taught due to brain damage. The child often quits breathing up to five minutes at a time. He said this tragedy has taken a physical, financial, emotional and spiritual toll on the family. The grandfather said they try to support one another and keep the family unit intact. He noted there are days when the child has setbacks that causes them to just sit and cry.
Leuthold addressed the grandparents: “I’m going to give (Gillison) the maximum sentence I can. It’s frustrating that a guy can go get in a bar fight and another guy nearly kill his child and they both get the same sentence. I know Mr. Hoovler is frustrated as well. Without you, this little child wouldn’t have a chance. You have done everything you can for this child. Thank you is not enough, but I thank you anyway.”
Attorney Andrew Motter chose not to address the court. Gillison also said he had no comment.
“I wish I could give him 25 years, but I can’t. The maximum sentence is eight years in prison,” Leuthold said. “There is a beautiful child in this room today who was born to two people who should never be called parents. There was another child in the home who was brave enough to make a statement about the abuse this child has endured.”
Leuthold read from a medical report that outlined the child’s injuries that were consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. Doctors included that the child suffered injuries to the legs, back, ribs and brain. The report concluded that the child suffered serious bodily harm and is the victim of physical abuse on more than one occasion.
“No, we have a helpless child who has an uncaring mother and an abusive father. We have two grandparents who should be admired as they struggle everyday with caring for this child,” Leuthold said. “This is one of the saddest cases I’ve ever had to preside over. This father is guilty of horrendous and evil behavior.”
Leuthold sentenced Gillison to the maximum penalty of eight years in prison. He will receive jail time credit. Gillison was ordered to have no contact with the victim who is a minor.
“If he tries to contact you let the court know,” Leuthold told the grandparents. “I can restrict his privileges including the use of a phone.”