A man who injured a 2-month-old baby so much that she may never regain her vision was sent to prison for 12 years Thursday.
Daniel Kreider, 35, of 1202 Wooster Road, lot 26, Winona Lake, appeared in front of Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge David Cates and was handed the 12-year sentence in the Indiana Department of Corrections for a Level 3 neglect of a dependent felony conviction.
Kosciusko County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz said the Supreme Court sets a maximum sentence for the worst offenders and that is what this case calls for.
Voelz said prosecutors believe abuse happened in this case and that there are several aggravating factors.
“Daniel Kreider has a significant and violent criminal history. He has failed probation in his past. He has a sporadic employment history, and his victim is a child,” Voelz said. “Daniel Kreider’s a person who belongs in prison.”
Austin Rovenstine, attorney for Kreider, said if his client would have opted to take this case to trial, he would have disputed that Kreider battered the child, adding that Kreider has always maintained he did not batter the child.
Rovenstine noted that in police reports, it states that Kreider was the one who called police and when police arrived, Kreider was administering CPR on the child.
“I’m very remorseful for everything that has happened,” Kreider told Cates.
“You have a substantial and significant criminal history,” Cates said. “You created that. This wasn’t just a child under 12 years old, it was a 2-month-old baby. That nearly died. And you were in a position of care. This victim has continuing issues because of your actions.”
After the sentencing, Kreider asked Cates if he could kiss his weeping girlfriend in the gallery. Cates’ patience was out and he ordered Kreider to the jury box.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on May 4 Winona Lake Police responded to Kreider’s residence in reference to CPR in progress on an infant. The infant was unresponsive and was resuscitated by EMS en route to the hospital. Kreider told police he was babysitting for a woman.
Doctors reported that a MRI on the baby observed subdural bleeding to the brain and bruising on the head as well as a cut on her lip. Doctors also told police the infant had hemorrhages in her eyes, that the baby had shaken baby syndrome and that there is a poor chance for the baby to regain her vision. Doctors indicated the bruising on the baby’s head had indents from fingers and that the violence the baby suffered was nearly fatal.
Kreider was convicted of child molesting in 2002, and in 2015 for unlawful employment near children by a sexual predator and failing to register as a violent sexual predator or violent offender.
