Day Care woman sentenced to prison for inflicting permanent brain damage.

February 6, 2010

By Kimberly West
Oregon Herald staff reporter

HILLSBORO -- A former day care owner was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison today for shaking a 6-month-old baby girl and causing permanent brain damage.

Kathy Goodin, 54, was convicted Tuesday and sentenced to more than seven years in prison for shaking 6-month-old Jessie Fleming in 2008, causing her permanent brain damage. Washington County Circuit Court Judge Rick Knapp called it a " sad chapter in everyone's case." She was sentenced to a mandatory-minimum sentence for the Measure 11 case.

Jessie was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. The defense said the premature birth and Jessie's large head contributed to the diagnosis. Goodin had no previous criminal record and declined to address the court before the judge sentenced her.

After the sentence, Goodin turned and faced more than a dozen supporters who said, "We love you" several times before she walked out of the courtroom.

After her prison term, Goodin cannot have contact with the Flemings.