2 people sentenced in 2022 Upshur County ‘shaken baby’ deaths

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (WBOY) — Two people have been sentenced in the “shaken baby” deaths of an infant and toddler from a 2022 incident in Upshur County.

On Sept. 11, Ciera Gillespie, 27, and Thomas Cunningham, 29, were seen before Upshur County Circuit Judge Jacob Reger for sentencing stemming from their charges from the death of 1-year-old infant and 2-year-old toddler in 2022 .

During the sentencing, Cunningham received a term of 15 years to life in a state penitentiary for two counts of death of a child by parent or guardian, which are to be served consecutively.

Gillespie received a term of 3-15 years in a state penitentiary for two counts of child neglect resulting in death, also to be served consecutively for a total of 6-30 years served, after which she is to be on extended supervision for an additional 20 years.

The two were previously indicted during the May 2023 term of the Upshur County Grand Jury , with Cunningham’s indictments being for two counts of death of a child by parent or guardian by child abuse, and Gillespie’s indictments being for two counts of child neglect resulting in death.

They were arrested in December 2022 after a 2-year-old toddler died from brain injuries related to shaken baby syndrome; more charges were added when a 1-year-old infant died a few days later also from brain injuries.

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