Evansville, Ind. — A Warrick County father was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Monday for the death of his 3-month-old child in February 2022. Jakob Scott, 26, pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a charge that replaced a more severe murder charge as part of a plea deal reached in December 2024.
The plea deal also resulted in the dismissal of an additional neglect charge, leaving Scott with a sentence of four decades behind bars. The case came to light after a tragic series of events that led to the infant’s death, which was determined to have been caused by starvation and neglect.
Scott’s conviction follows the earlier sentencing of his girlfriend, Caylin Monroe, the mother of the child, who was found guilty of murder. Monroe was sentenced to 65 years in prison in November 2024.
According to court documents, the infant’s death was a result of extreme neglect. Investigators discovered that the child had suffered from prolonged starvation before passing away. Details revealed in the arrest affidavit painted a grim picture of the circumstances surrounding the infant’s final months.
Both Scott and Monroe were arrested following the investigation, and while Scott’s plea deal allowed him to avoid a murder conviction, Monroe faced a more severe charge and sentence due to her direct role in the child’s death.
The sentencing of both parents serves as a painful reminder of the devastating impact of neglect. Authorities have expressed their commitment to ensuring justice for victims of child abuse and neglect, stressing the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals.
While Scott’s 40-year sentence and Monroe’s 65-year sentence bring some form of legal resolution, the tragedy of the infant’s death will continue to weigh heavily on the community.
