The consequences of a split-second decision made in a moment of deep frustration could haunt a Wisconsin father for at least the next 12 years, and possibly the rest of his life.
At sentencing on Tuesday, December 30, Jarlin White learned that he would spend the next 12 years in prison. But first, the 22-year-old Milwaukee father spoke softly and expressed regret for throwing his young son against a wall on Nov. 5, 2024, while losing the video game NBA 2K.
“My intention was never to hurt my son,” White said in court, according to video footage of the trial shared by Fox 6. “It all happened so fast. I made a mistake; my mind was racing.”
The baby survived the impact with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, according to obtained court documents. US Weekly. The doctor who treated the child, identified only as “JW” in court documents, said the boy’s left collarbone and several ribs were still healing from previous fractures.
Today, the child apparently suffers from vision problems, relies on a feeding tube to survive, and requires the care of multiple specialists every week.
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White said he doesn’t remember everything that happened that night, but he wants to take full responsibility for his actions. White admitted reckless physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm and admitted neglecting a child causing great bodily harm.
The Milwaukee County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that White was also sentenced to seven years of extended supervision after his release from prison.
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White stayed behind to care for the baby while the baby’s mother went out, police said. Initially, investigators were unable to get a straight story out of White, who kept changing different aspects of his account of what happened. Sometimes, he said the baby hit his head against the door frame, and other times, he said the baby was injured in a fall.
However, White later admitted that he picked up the boy while playing video games “to calm him down,” according to court records. White told police he was playing the “competitive” game of NBA 2K and was not doing well.
“[White] Trailing by 2 points in the fourth quarter, ball control was frustrated [his son]eventually throwing [his son] “leaning against the wall,” according to the original criminal complaint.
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The boy hit a wall and fell face first on the bed, police said.
“One of the most innocent victims in our community was victimized by someone who by law was supposed to protect them and keep them safe, and then tried to cover up his actions,” prosecutor Matthew Torbenson said in handing down the sentence.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit ChildHelp.org. All calls are free and confidential, and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.