Death penalty possible for parents charged with murder
By ANDY KRAVETZ
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Published Friday, February 22, 2008
PEORIA — Benjamin Sargent died with his eyes open, fists clenched and strapped into a car seat after eight days without food or water, authorities say.
The 5-month-old was dropped off at his parents’ house on Feb. 4, wearing a bright-blue snowsuit and strapped into his car seat. Eight days later, he was found in the filth-strewn home in the same position, Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons said Wednesday during a bond hearing for the parents, Tracy D. Hermann, 21, and James E. Sargent, 23, both of Peoria, who are charged with murder for their son’s death.
Neighbors of little Benjamin Sargent are reacting to his senseless death.
They say they knew something wasn't right at the Proctor Street home where 21-year old Tracy Hermann and 23-year old James Sargent lived but they never suspected something so sinister.
Some area residents where the 5–month–old victim died say they are just plain disgusted. They say they did not even know Tracy Hermann and James Sargent had a child.
This has got to be one of the saddest things I have read about
child abuse. The death penalty would be to easy for these two.
I agree with one of the posters in the comments section, put them in
snowsuits, turn up the heat and let them sit in their own waste for
8/10 days with no food and water
God bless little Ben, he'll never have to suffer anymore.
Did she try to play the role of protective big sister or was SHE already so abused & neglected that she knew not to bother the monsters while they played their video games for 8 days?
I only hope that poor child has no memory of her life prior to being rescued.
Benjamin Sargent
This has got to be one of the saddest things I have read about
Linear Mode
