Mentally ill woman sentenced to 3 years for killing 6-month-old son - Citizen Digital

File image of a judge's gavel. PHOTO|COURTESY

A Kisumu court has on Wednesday, July 16, sentenced a mentally ill woman to serve a three-year non-custodial term with mandatory psychiatric treatment after she was found guilty of killing her six-month-old son.

Sarah Anyango pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter under a plea agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). 

Kisumu High Court judge Justice Omido J. accepted the plea and imposed a non-custodial sentence in light of the accused’s mental condition.

The court heard that on May 10, 2024, in Kanyaranga village, Seme Sub-county, Kisumu County, Anyango, who appeared mentally disturbed, was seen assaulting her infant son, Joseph Calvins Omondi, leading to injuries and ultimate death.

A post-mortem conducted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital revealed the infant had suffered multiple severe injuries, including the removal of the left eye, burn-like injuries to the right foot, complete skin removal from the left foot, facial swelling, and signs of strangulation, identified as the cause of death.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Mercy Muema, acknowledged the gravity of the crime but emphasized the accused’s need for medical and psychiatric care, highlighting the seriousness of mental health conditions in criminal cases.

In mitigation, defense counsel Okoth Oluoch argued that the accused was not of sound mind during the incident, expressed remorse, and had since undergone psychiatric treatment at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital. He added that she has shown significant improvement while in custody.

Justice Omido ordered that she be placed under probation supervision by the Makadara probation office for three years. 

The convict will continue to receive treatment and round-the-clock supervision to support her rehabilitation.