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Jesse Cook, 45, was convicted by a jury on multiple offenses after the Frederick native was found complicit in the death of a child in 2020 who was found with grave injuries.
In June 2020, deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office were called to the 5300 block of Kingsbrook Drive, where they were met by an infant in cardiac arrest, prosecutors said
The child was rushed by paramedics to Frederick Health Hospital, where the infant later died from the injuries after being treated for approximately an hour.
It was only 1 month and 26 days old at the time of death.
The nature of Cook's relationship with the child is unclear.
Child Protective Services was immediately notified following the death, and an autopsy determined that the infant died from "non-accidental trauma," including 20 broken ribs, a previous stomach injury, and a new abdominal injury that led to it's death, which was ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner.
According to investigators from the sheriff's office, the child's father had sent numerous concerning text messages and searched numerous concerning subjects related to the kid.
Witnesses also reported that Cook had been “rough” with the child during the infant's short life.
Specifically, Cook was convicted of first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a child under 13 years old and two counts of second-degree child abuse, Smith said.
No sentencing date has been set.
"These are the cases that keep you up at night realizing what some people are capable of," Smith said. "This poor baby knew nothing but hate and abuse in this world.
"Jesse Cook is the reason we have prisons, and we will do everything within our power to make sure he is in one for many, many years.”
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