BEAUMONT, Texas — A woman accused of shaking her child, causing severe injuries, has been sentenced to probation as part of a plea agreement.
Terri Gallien, of Beaumont, was sentenced Monday morning by Judge Raquel West to five years on probation in Jefferson County's 252nd District Court.
If she violates the terms of her probation, which was part of plea deal, she could face up to two years in state prison. However, if she completes her probation successfully she will not have a conviction on her record.
Gallien pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent injury to a child, which is a state jail felony, as part of a plea deal.
She had originally been charged with injury to a child/criminal negligence, which, had she been found guilty, carried a sentence of from five to 99 years or life in prison.
The injuries to her child were severe enough that her child had to be flown to Texas Children's Hospital and admitted to the ICU, according to a probable cause affidavit in the case.
The prosecutor and defense attorney noted in court that the child had a prior medical condition which was considered in developing the plea agreement.
On February 6, 2021, Gallien took her child, suffering with head trauma, to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.
Medical reports say the injuries were "consistent with inflicted trauma."
Gallien said while making bottles, she noticed her child moaning and realized something was wrong. She said the child was not blinking and their eyes were wide open, according to the probable cause affidavit.
She initially denied hurting her child.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Gallien admitted that she shook the child, resulting in the injuries.
Gallien agreed to have a polygraph examination and the results indicated deception, meaning that she failed.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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