AUGUSTA, Maine — A 22-year-old Windsor man pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of aggravated assault that stemmed from the violent shaking of his infant child.
Kevin Peaslee entered his plea in Kennebec County Superior Court during a hearing before Justice Michaela Murphy, Kennebec County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said late Friday afternoon.
Peaslee is accused of shaking his baby daughter — who was 6 months old at the time — so violently that she suffered brain damage, Maloney said.
Aleah Peaslee, who is now 1½ years old, was left blind, deaf, unable to swallow, a quadriplegic and in need of around-the-clock care for pain, Maloney said.
State and Augusta police arrested Peaslee, then 21, after his indictment in January by the Kennebec County grand jury. Peaslee initially was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, charges to which he initially pleaded not guilty.
The Class B felony assault charge to which he pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, Maloney said.
Maloney said the state is seeking a 10-year sentence, with all but seven years suspended, to be followed by 12 years of probation.
Maloney said that Peaslee and his attorney, James Lawley of Augusta, have agreed to the sentence and probation but are expected to argue for less jail time. Peaslee’s sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 14, she said.