HOUSTON, TEXAS: Bethaniel Jefferson, a former Texas dentist was sentenced to probation after her botched procedure left a four-year-old girl permanently brain damaged, blind, mute and in a wheelchair with 24/7 care.
The girl, Nevaeh Hall, suffered from a severe lack of oxygen and multiple seizures while under Jefferson’s care in January 2016.
Jefferson failed to call 911 and instead tried to treat the girl with oral medications and water. She also called her pastor and a pharmacy during the ordeal.
What sentence did the prosecution seek for Bethaniel Jefferson?
Prosecutors asked for 20 years in prison after Jefferson was found guilty of one count of recklessly causing serious bodily injury to a child by omission.
But, the jury initially sentenced her to 10 years, as per KHOU11.
However, it recommended community supervision which allowed the judge on Thursday to sentence Jefferson to just five years of probation.
She also had her dental license revoked by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, months after the botched procedure.
How did the victim's family and prosecution react to Bethaniel Jefferson's sentencing?
The girl’s grandmother told Fox 26 that Jefferson “gets to walk free, live her life, going about her business.”
"While Nevaeh “won’t get to go to her prom, walk down the aisle and get married, enjoy her birthdays where she can run around and play, which is what a child should do," her grandmother said.
"I don’t think justice was served,” Assistant District Attorney Gilbert Sawtelle complained told the Houston Chronicle.
“She failed for five hours … She was more worried about herself than that little girl’s life,” Sawtelle said.
“This verdict will make a difference. It will send them a message that they will be held accountable," Jim Moriarty, who represented Nevaeh’s family during the civil lawsuits, said.
Attorney says Bethaniel Jefferson screwed up
John Kovach, Jefferson’s attorney, told Law and Crime that his client screwed up and was criminally negligent in not calling 911.
In court, he made an emotional plea to the jury not to send her to prison.
The girl’s family sued Jefferson and won a $95.5 million civil lawsuit, but they could not receive the full amount because Jefferson’s malpractice insurance could not cover the costs.
