A woman from Gloucestershire has been sentenced to 15 years for the manslaughter of her baby daughter.
In April 2020, shortly after the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, Melissa Wilband, 28, was living with her two young children, a two-year-old boy and a five-month-old baby, Lexi.
On the night of 12 April, paramedics were called to the house, where Lexi was found showing signs consistent with trauma. She was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital before being transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
On 17 April, Lexi’s ventilator was turned off, and she died on the morning of 18 April 2020.
Medical examination showed that Lexi died from bleeding in her brain caused by violent shaking. Evidence also revealed additional blood on Lexi’s brain from an earlier incident of shaking.
Following a trial, she was found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Bristol Crown Court.
Ann Hampshire of the Crown Prosecution Service said, “Lexi’s life was tragically cut short by someone who should have loved and cared for her, her own mother.
“Everyone who has been involved in this case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Lexi’s death.
“The Crown Prosecution Service worked in close partnership with our colleagues in Gloucestershire Constabulary to secure justice for Lexi and ensure that Melissa Wilband was held responsible for her actions.
