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Grandfather said he shook infant to calm him, manslaughter hearing told

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Chang Teng Wang, 58, admitted to the manslaughter of his 10‑month‑old grandson, Séan, who died on 15 August 2019. Wang told Gardaí he had shaken the baby vigorously in an attempt to calm him, an action that caused head and neck trauma leading to death. The child had been in Wang's care before being taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital, where he was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Despite initial thoughts of choking, CT scans revealed severe injuries. The parents, who had been out with friends, rushed Séan to the hospital after finding him pale. Gardaí found no evidence of punishment or other causes for the injuries. Judge Martina Baxter adjourned sentencing to 6 November pending the Director of Public Prosecution's view, with a plea of mitigation to be heard then. Chang Teng Wang pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Grandfather said he shook infant to calm him, manslaughter hearing told. Charges or matters: the unlawful killing of his 10-month old grandson, Séan, on August 15, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 15, 2019 Incident
• August 13, 2019 Incident
• November 6 Adjournment
• 2023-10-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report