INDIANAPOLIS — UPDATE: Brandon Herring has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for shaking his infant son to death in 2021.
Herring was found guilty of aggravated battery resulting in death after a three-day jury trial on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.
On Aug. 27, 2021, first responders arrived at an address in the 2900 block of South Pennsylvania Street, near South Meridian Street and West Troy Avenue, where they found Herring's 4-month-old son, Jaxson Thompson, unresponsive. Thompson was transported to Riley Hospital in critical condition, but died two days later on Aug. 29 from his injuries.
IMPD child abuse detectives said at the time, Thompson suffered from "abusive head trauma" that only would have occurred had the baby been shaken. During an interview with investigators on the day of the incident, Herring said Thompson had choked on milk and stopped breathing. Herring then changed his story to say that he dropped Thompson and he fell on the floor.
After being told that Thompson's injuries did not line up with what he had told investigators, Herring admitted to police that he "lost his cool" and shook his son.
“This was a completely avoidable tragedy,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “As parents, it is our duty to protect our child from harm — not inflict it. If you or a loved one is struggling with the anxiety of being a new parent, reach out for help. In addition to family and friends, there are organizations and resources dedicated to addressing the hardships parents of newborns face.”
According to online court records, Herring is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
