INDIANAPOLIS – A father in Indianapolis has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the death of his 28-day-old son.
In December 2019, first responders took Michael Gaunt’s son to Riley Hospital for Children after he was found unresponsive. The child had brain cell and tissue damage, in addition to a clavicle and spiral fracture. At the time, Guant and the baby’s mother were not able to provide any explanation for the injuries the child sustained.
Medical staff said the child’s brain injury was likely because from being thrown or shaken. The injuries are a characteristic of severe physical abuse, including abusive head trauma. The child died three days after arriving at the hospital.
The mother told investigators that she briefly left the home on the day the child was hurt and when she returned, Gaunt did not allow her to call for help. Investigators say he also gave inconsistent statements to detectives throughout the investigation, and couldn’t provide an explanation for how his son could have sustained the injuries.
Gaunt was sentenced on charges of aggravated battery and neglect of a dependent resulting in death. He was found guilty of his son’s death in April 2022 after a one-day court trial.
