The episode the series “Under Oath” covered Partin’s case and focused on her testimony. Hannah Wesche, whom Partin babysat, collapsed at Partin’s Shank Road residence on March 8, 2018, and later died.
Partin was tried over eight days in April 2019. The jury deliberated 12 hours before finding Partin guilty on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and four counts of child endangering. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 18 years.
Journal-News coverage of the Partin case:
» Appeal denied for Butler County woman convicted of killing 3-year-old she was babysitting
» ‘I hope she spends the rest of her life in prison’: Family reacts to babysitter’s sentencing
» Babysitter guilty on all counts, including murder, in toddler’s death
The 12th District Court of Appeals upheld Partin’s conviction in September 2020. In November, Partin’s appellate attorney, Neal Schuett of Rittgers & Rittgers, appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, stating “This case raises a substantial question and is one of public or great general interest.” In March, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
During seven days of testimony, the jury heard Partin’s confession to slapping and hitting the young girl in the days leading up to March 8, 2018, then shaking her on that day. She also said the 3-year-old had a couple of falls that caused the bruising observed by the doctors, coroner and EMTs.
Doctors gave testimony about how long the child could have been walking, talking and acting normally after the fatal head injury. Doctors who treated and observed Hannah at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital said she would not have been able to function within seconds or minutes.
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