Damascus Father Sentenced to 10+ Years After Horrific Abuse of Infant Daughter

Montgomery County Man Faces Justice for Unthinkable Crime

A Damascus man will spend over a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to first-degree child abuse involving his 5-month-old daughter. Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge David Boynton handed down the 15-year sentence, suspending all but 10½ years, for 25-year-old Taylor Barrett.

The Shocking Details of the Case

According to prosecutors, Barrett committed the abuse in September 2022 while his daughter was in his care. The infant suffered multiple injuries requiring immediate medical attention, including:

• Severe bruising across her body
• Brain bleeding consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Multiple fractured ribs in various stages of healing

"This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but rather a pattern of horrific abuse against a completely vulnerable child," said Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy during sentencing.

Justice Served, But Questions Remain

While justice was served in the courtroom, the case raises troubling questions:

1. Were there warning signs that could have prevented this tragedy?
2. How can communities better protect vulnerable children?
3. What support exists for parents struggling with stress and anger?

Barrett must serve five years of supervised probation upon release and is prohibited from contacting the victim or her family. The child is now in protective custody and receiving medical care.

What Do You Think?

• Is 10½ years sufficient punishment for this type of child abuse?
• Should parents convicted of child abuse lose all parental rights permanently?
• Would mandatory parenting classes for all new parents help prevent cases like this?
• Do courts treat biological parents too leniently compared to other child abusers?
• Should there be harsher penalties when the victim is an infant?