TRAPPE, Md.- Sentencing has been delayed for a Talbot County day care provider found guilty in the death of a 9-month-old boy in her care. The child's mother wants to know the reason behind the delay.
Trevor Ulrich died in September 2009 of head injuries suffered while in the care of 53-year-old Gail Dobson at her home in Trappe. Autopsy results revealed the child died of inflicted head trauma, which is an injury associated with shaken baby syndrome.
In August, a jury convicted Dobson guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, and second-degree assault in connection with the infant's death. Dobson was supposed to be sentenced on Oct. 28. However, a judge in Talbot County held off sentencing to give Dobson's new defense team the opportunity to re-examine whether enough evidence was presented during the trial to warrant the second-degree murder conviction.
Dobson's defense lawyer, Flynn Owen, said the judge does have discretion in the case and is simply allowing the defense team to see whether the state presented enough evidence to warrant a second-degree murder conviction. Flynn denied that this was a new trial for his client. He added that whatever the defense finds will be brought up during the new sentencing hearing scheduled in January.
The Dorchester County State's Attorney's Office, which is handling the case for Talbot County, would not comment until after the case against Dobson is over.
Meantime, Dobson will now be sentenced on Jan. 6.
