Benjamin Sargent Update

LOCAL: A Peoria father convicted of his 5–month–old son's murder will never see the outside of a prison again. A judge sentenced James Sargent to 100 years behind bars without parole today.

Little Benjamin Sargent died from an infection brought on by a nearly week–old dirty diaper. Prosecutors also say the boy hadn't been fed for three or four days. Judge James Shadid said normally he would give an explanation about the sentence.. But Shadid said the facts of the case are clear and he doesn't believe someone who would let a five–month–old child rot to death is entitled to an explanation or cares to hear one.

When given the opportunity to speak on his behalf Sargent rambled through a 15–page statement that didn't mention his son. He quoted Biblical phrases and said he was at peace.
Barring a successful appeal James Sargent will die in prison.His former girlfriend and the baby's mother goes on trial later this year.

-NewsAnchormomJen

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Benjamin Sargent Update

Obviously James Sargent has not been tried yet and he is innocent until proven guilty. The details the trial is bringing out are hard to stomach! Our reporter-Ashley-started telling me about this poor baby who police say was found in his snow suit in his car seat in the crib. They say he hadn't been changed or fed for days. I can't even write this without crying. Whether it's all true or not, it is hard to hear.



The murder trial for a Peoria man accused of starving his 5–month–old son to death began today. Four witnesses testified against 24-year-old James Sargent this afternoon including his mother, his son's pediatrician and his friend.

Sargent, who faces two counts of first-degree murder, did not display any emotion in court today. One witness, a friend was living in the couple's garage at the time of Benjamin Sargent's death wept on the stand as described the home as nasty.

He also claimed that he took care of the infant more than either parent and that the home was littered with parenting pamphlets.

There is no jury for this trial, the judge will rule on his guilt or innocence. The child's mother is also being charged with murder, her trial will begin in May. The state will continue presenting its case tomorrow. The trial is expected to last until Wednesday.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Police say Starvation Killed Baby

The death of Peoria baby Benjamin Sargent is making national news. I have talked to three people today who started crying while I explained what police are saying happened. The idea of this happening to a child is horrific.

Here's the story:

Disturbing new information came out in court this afternoon about the infant who was found dead in Peoria last Tuesday. 21-year old Tracey Hermann and 23-year old James Sargent were denied bond today. They both face first-degree murder charges for the death of their son, Benjamin Sargent.

Prosecutors say for eight days 5 month old Benjamin was left in the same clothes, and had not been moved from his car seat that was placed in a crib.

He died of sepsis and starvation.

Police say Hermann left Benjamin with his father when she went out of state to meet a man she met on the internet. Police say James Sargent has a criminal record and did not take care of his son. He called police when he discovered the baby stopped breathing.

Public defenders were assigned for both Hermann and Sargent. Prosecutors say they have a two-year old daughter who is living with Hermann's brother and his wife. State's Attorney Kevin Lyons says he plans to file a case to make sure Hermann no longer has custody of that child.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen