A former Texas dentist who left a 4-year-old girl with irreversible brain damage from botched surgery has walked away with just five years of probation — even as prosecutors sought 20 years in prison.
Bethaniel Jefferson failed to call 911 for five hours when little Nevaeh Hall’s oxygen levels plummeted seven years ago — leaving the now 11-year-old girl in need of round-the-clock care and still unable to see, talk, walk or eat on her own.
His attorney, John Kovach, happily admitted Jefferson was “confused” when he was convicted Wednesday in Houston of recklessly injuring a child by abandonment.
Prosecutors sought a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison — and a jury initially sentenced him to 10 years, according to KHOU11.
However, it also recommended community supervision, which allowed a judge on Thursday to sentence Jefferson to just five years of probation, the Houston Chronicle said.
“I don’t think justice was served,” Assistant District Attorney Gilbert Sawtelle complained to the newspaper.
Former Texas dentist Bethaniel Jefferson was sentenced to just five years of probation after he was convicted of recklessly injuring a child by falling behind.AP
“He failed for five hours … He was more concerned about himself than the little girl’s life.”
Nevaeh’s grandmother, Clara Clark, also slammed the decision as “grossly unfair.”
“Justice was not served,” he told Fox 26, saying that Jefferson “deserves jail time.”
Nevaeh Hall, now 11, has permanent brain damage and can’t see, talk, walk or feed herself.AP
Jefferson “was able to walk free, live his life, run his business,” Clark said. “Nevaeh’s not going to go to her prom, walk down the aisle and get married, have her birthday where she can run around and play, that’s what a kid should do.”
The trial heard how the young girl was supposed to undergo a routine procedure for a rotten tooth, but was left for hours despite being robbed at least three times.
Jefferson’s dental license was revoked just months after the botched procedure in January 2016.
The Hall family was also awarded a $95.5 million settlement in a civil suit last year, but plaintiffs’ attorneys said Jefferson did not have the money to pay damages.
Nevaeh’s grandmother, Clara Clark (center), said the dentist “should get jail time.”Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
The former dentist’s lawyer, Kovach, wept in court as he pleaded for his client not to go to jail, according to the Chronicle.
“He’s being silly, but sending him to jail is outrageous,” he said.
“If he’s going to harm the community, it’s as a dentist and he’s already lost his license.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
