District Attorney David M. Hoovler Announces State Prison
Sentence in Assault on Seven-Month-Old Baby
Grandmother Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison, and 5 Years Post-Release-Supervision
Defendant Pled to Assault in the First Degree for Causing Serious Physical Injury
to Baby Girl
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, Kimberly Bennett, 46, of Middletown, was sentenced in Orange County Court to twelve years in state prison, and five years post-release supervision, in connection with an assault on Bennett’s seven-month-old granddaughter, for whom Bennett was the primary caregiver. On October 27, 2021, Benner had pled guilty to Assault in the First Degree. The assault, which occurred on February 22, 2020, at Bennett’s home on Bedford Avenue, in the City of Middletown, resulted in the child suffering serious physical injury including damage to her brain and eyes, and rendered the child blind.
On February 22, 2020, City of Middletown Police Officers and ambulance personnel responded to Bennett’s residence and found the seven-month-old baby unresponsive and exhibiting facial bruising. A joint investigation was conducted by the City of Middletown Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the New York State Police. The results were presented to an Orange County Grand Jury which indicted Bennett on charges including Assault in the First Degree.
Bennett was arrested by the City of Middletown Police Department.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police Department, for their investigation and the arrest of Bennett, as well as the New York State Police, who assisted in the investigation.
“There is no excuse for inflicting these types of injuries on a helpless infant,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “It is even more unthinkable that these injuries could have been inflicted by the person who was primarily responsible for this child’s wellbeing. Help is available within Orange County for those who believe they are unable to care for their children.”
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Janine Kovacs and Assistant District Attorney Neal Eriksen.