New trial date set for babysitter charged in toddler’s death

A new trial date has been set for a Hanover Twp. woman charged with murder in the death of a toddler in her care.

Lindsay Partin, 36, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangering in addition to murder for the death of a 3-year-old Hannah Wesche, was scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 11, but Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens granted the defense’s motion for a continuance.

On Wednesday, Stephens scheduled Partin’s seven-day trial to begin April 1, according to court documents.

Partin, who is free on $75,000 bond, is scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 25 for a pre-trial hearing.

In the motion for continuance, defense attorney Chris Pagan stated, “this is a medical opinion case,” and argued more time was needed to consult with experts about the timing of the toddler’s head injuries after the timeline had been narrowed by the prosecution’s experts.

The defense received from the prosecution on Nov. 9 new opinions about the timeframe of the child’s injuries, according to Pagan.

Partin, who was the child’s babysitter, allegedly fatally assaulted Wesche after the girl exhibited toddler behavior, according to court documents filed by the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office.

The toddler suffered significant and severe bruising to her face, chest and neck on March 6 because Partin said Hannah “dumped ketchup in the toilet,” according to court documents filed by Butler County prosecutors.

Two days later, after Hannah’s father, Jason Wesche, dropped off his daughter, Partin recklessly abused the toddler resulting in traumatic brain injury, cervical spinal cord hemorrhage and optic nerve sheath hemorrhages, according to court documents.

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