More than 10 years ago, a 2-year-old met a heinous demise at the hands of her babysitter. Dana Banner, the 31-year-old babysitter, is awaiting sentencing after she pleaded guilty to causing the child’s death. She pled guilty before Justice Colin Williams in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.
Banner is accused of killing the toddler on May 18, 2008, the same day that Ladyville police responded to reports of a child being injured at a home in Ladyville. The child, Verniece Rodriguez Gonzales, was taken to the KHMH to receive medical treatment. She had injuries to both cheeks, swelling to her forehead, bruises to her entire back and legs, and an open wound to the left foot. She was admitted for treatment but, sadly, perished just hours later.
Four days later, on May 22, 2018, Banner was taken to Magistrate’s Court where she was formally arraigned on the charge of manslaughter. It is believed that between the dates of May 7 and 18, 2018, Banner was physically abusive to the toddler, all of which Banner attempted to justify, and it was those injuries that eventually led to the baby’s death. In a police statement, Banner said that on May 18, 2008, she left the room only momentarily and returned to see Gonzales on the floor, twisting and turning, her eyes rolling in her head, foaming from the mouth, and breathing heavily.
On October 26, 2018, Justice Colin Williams will hear a mitigation plea on behalf of Banner by her attorney Leo Bradley.
