Babysitter asks for reduced sentence in child abuse case

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A woman who admitted to beating a baby wants a new trial or have her sentence reduced.

Cherie Landowski is serving 10 years in prison for beating Quentin Maulsby while babysitting him in 2010.

Landowski says new evidence concerning the boys brother has changed her case. She took her argument before a judge Monday afternoon.

“You don’t just walk a way like this.”

Christina Maulsby tells WINK News she is reminded everyday about what Landowski did to her son five years ago.

Maulsby said she rushed Quentin to the hospital after she noticed something was wrong. Landowski later admitted she beat Quentin with a baby bottle and shook him.

“My son has a life sentence everyday his life is impacted because of her actions and what she did to him and it will be forever that will never change,” said Maulsby.

Maulsby’s son was diagnosed with autism following the beating and his baby brother also has autism. That’s the new evidence Landowski said should reduce her sentence.

“Based upon the fact that my second child had autism and that she had seen an article in her local newspaper that I had started an autism center,” said Maulsby.

During the hearing, a doctor testified for the defense. He said there is no proof that traumatic brain injury causes autism and that it is genetic.

But the state said Quentin’s diagnosis doesn’t change the abuse that Landowski inflicted upon the child.

In court, Landowski testified that she knew at the time of her plea in 2013 that Quentin’s brother could have had autism.

“I would like to say there’s a little bit of peace but there’s not,” said Maulsby.

Maulsby tells WINK News they didn’t like the plea offer that was presented in 2013 but accepted it because they wanted to move forward with their lives. Now, they’re ready for any decision the judge might make.

“Yeah let’s do it, let’s go to trial cause I’ll go after her for the full 30 years,” said Maulsby.

The judge is reviewing the case and will make a decision. No word on when she will issue her ruling.