Woman Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter After Death of Man She Injured When He Was an Infant

A former babysitter pleads guilty to manslaughter for the death of a man she injured as an infant nearly four decades ago.

At a Glance

Terry McKirchy, 62, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2019 death of Benjamin Dowling, whom she injured in 1984.
Dowling died at 35 after living with severe disabilities caused by a brain hemorrhage when he was 5 months old.
McKirchy was sentenced to three years in prison as part of a plea deal.
The case highlights the long-term consequences of child abuse and the complexities of prosecuting such cases decades later.

A Decades-Long Case Comes to a Close

In a case that spans nearly four decades, Terry McKirchy, 62, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2019 death of Benjamin Dowling, a man she grievously injured when he was an infant under her care in 1984. The plea deal, which sentenced McKirchy to three years in prison, brings a measure of closure to a tragic story that has haunted the Dowling family for years.

Benjamin Dowling was just five months old when he suffered a brain hemorrhage while under McKirchy’s care. The injuries left him profoundly disabled for the rest of his life. He never developed basic motor or verbal skills and required constant care, including surgeries and a feeding tube. Dowling passed away on September 16, 2019, at the age of 35, with his death directly linked to the injuries he sustained as an infant.

Babysitter pleads guilty to manslaughter for 2019 death of a man she injured as a baby in 1984https://t.co/Gaovi5aT07 pic.twitter.com/GuL1xTKqtD

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 22, 2024

A History of Denial and Light Sentences

Initially, McKirchy had denied responsibility for Dowling’s injuries, claiming he had fallen off a couch. In 1985, she pleaded guilty to attempted murder and aggravated child abuse but received a light sentence. She served only weekends in jail until giving birth to her own child and then was placed on probation.

“Benjamin never crawled, fully rolled over, walked, never talked, never fed himself, he never enjoyed a hamburger or an ice cream cone, he could never tell us when he had an itch or anything hurt,” the Dowlings revealed in a 2021 statement.

The Dowling family was stunned by the leniency of the initial sentence and remained so for years. Despite the challenges, they included Benjamin in family activities and had two more children, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of tragedy.

A Plea Deal

The case took a dramatic turn in 2021 when a Broward County grand jury indicted McKirchy for first-degree murder after an autopsy linked Dowling’s death to his old injuries. Facing a possible life sentence, McKirchy ultimately agreed to a plea deal, admitting to manslaughter.

“Benjamin was profoundly disabled for his 35 years of life because of what Terry McKirchy did to him,” Rae Dowling said. “All because one person couldn’t control their actions on one day in July 1984.”

In a letter read during the hearing, McKirchy finally acknowledged her actions, stating, “It was in a state of impulse and anger that I struck Benjamin while he and other children were crying. Your life and Benjamin’s life were truly harmed by me and I am truly sorry.”

A Conclusion

While the plea deal brings some closure to the case, the Dowling family’s pain remains palpable. Rae Dowling remarked, “She will have to live with this,” while Joe Dowling added, “We just have to be strong and move forward.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of child abuse and the importance of proper care and responsibility when looking after infants.

As this tragic chapter comes to a close, it highlights the need for continued vigilance in protecting our most vulnerable citizens and ensuring that justice, even when delayed, is ultimately served.