A Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court judge followed the recommendation of a jury and sentenced a 27-year-old man convicted of child abuse to two-and-a-half years in prison Monday.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Maureen Kufro recalled during a hearing Monday how Robert Earl Haas IV “took his finger and shoved it down the child’s throat so forcefully that he punctured [it]” at an apartment off Croaker Road near Norge on Feb. 8.
The child — Haas’s then-3-month-old daughter — was taken to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after an ambulance was called to the scene and later taken to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk for more specialized pediatric care.
Doctors found bruising and a 1.5-centimeter tear inside the baby’s throat.
“We would like the court to remember that,” Kufro said at the sentencing hearing Monday.
The baby required a feeding tube for two weeks after the incident, according to a child abuse pediatrician’s testimony during Haas’ jury trial in July.
Haas’ attorney Patrick Bales argued during the July trial Haas was attempting to get a clear plastic object out of the child’s throat.
“He was in an emergency situation and he had to make a decision fast, so he acted quickly,” Bales said. “It was his intention to save his daughter’s life.”
A paramedic and a Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center nurse both testified Haas showed little emotion during their interactions with him at the time of the accident.
James City County parademic Amber Hallman said Haas was “nonchalant,” smoking a cigarette when she arrived at the scene after responding to the 911 call.
Kristin Ash, a registered nurse, said Haas watched the Winter Olympics on television while his daughter was being treated.
Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court Judge Michael McGinty heard from a licensed professional counselor Monday, who said Haas has been going to individual cognitive behavioral therapy, neurology feedback and family counseling with his wife.
The counselor, Mark Mortier, said Haas suffers from depression, anxiety and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and borders on being intellectually disabled based on his IQ.
McGinty ordered Haas to begin his sentence Monday, denying Bales’ request to allow Haas to finish his therapy sessions before resigning to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.
In addition to serving two-and-a-half years in prison, Haas must also pay a $1,000 fine.
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