‘Terrible mistake’ sends grandmother to prison in death of 13-month-old

Published 11:17 am Monday, December 12, 2016

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — Michael Darnell said his family now has “a little closure” knowing justice is being served for his son, Patrick Darnell.

“I’m glad court is finally over and she got what she deserved,” he said, referring to Sharon Carrell being sentenced on Friday to two years in prison for second-degree cruelty to children in the death of her 13-month-old grandson Patrick.

Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks sentenced Carrell to eight years, with two in prison and the rest on probation. She must also pay a $1,000 fine plus court costs, surcharges and probation fees and perform 200 hours of community service. She will be given credit for time served, 74 days, according to her attorney, Robert G. McCurry.

Patrick was found badly burned from water in a bathtub at Carrell’s home on Dec. 16, 2015, while she was outside. He had been left in the bathroom with his 2-year-old sister. He died five days later in an Atlanta hospital.

Carrell was found guilty in October by a jury of one count of second-degree cruelty to children. The jury found her not guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree cruelty to children.

“It’s closure knowing that it’s behind us and we don’t have to deal with living it anymore,” Michael Darnell said shortly after the sentence was pronounced.

Several family members of Carrell declined to comment after the sentencing.

District Attorney Bert Poston said he is “satisfied” with the sentence.

“Sharon Carrell has been held accountable for the decisions she made which led to the tragic death of Patrick Darnell,” he said. “The past several months have been very difficult for both sides of the family so hopefully this will bring some closure.”

No witnesses for the state spoke in court on Friday but Wilbanks said he received 75 victim impact letters after the verdicts. One was from Michael Darnell and others were from paternal grandparents and an aunt.

Nine people spoke on behalf of Carrell during the nearly three-hour sentencing hearing on Friday.

Marcus Carrell said sending his mother to prison would “tear the family apart.”

“She’s the only one holding the family together,” he said through tears. “I don’t want to lose my mother.”

Nancy Hyatt, an employer of Sharon Carrell, called her “honest and trustworthy.”

Hyatt said she found Carrell to be dependable while watching Hyatt’s elderly mother overnight.

Richard Gazaway, a deacon at Carrell’s church, said she is a “light to this world.” He said Carrell going to prison would be a loss to not only the church where she is active but the entire community.

One of Carrell’s siblings, Rose Faulknor, said no one could punish Carrell more than she has already punished herself.

McCurry said throughout the trial Carrell remained “upbeat, remorseful and prayerful.”

“It’s a daunting task to be responsible for someone’s life and liberty,” McCurry said. He said he respected the judge’s “careful consideration.”

“The court entered a sentence measured in months and years; however, the loss suffered by my client is immeasurable,” he said.

Kayla Darnell, Patrick’s mom and Carrell’s daughter, read a statement in court.

“I don’t understand why this tragedy is happening,” she said. “Going through this time has been hard without my mom here to help me.”

She said she’s always been able to depend on her mother to assist with her two children.

“My mom was there to help when I didn’t have anyone else, she is my rock,” she said.

Kayla Darnell said after Patrick was born on Nov. 16, 2014, she went back to work in January. Unable to afford day care, her mother agreed to babysit him along with her older daughter.

“She doesn’t deserve to be where she is, she doesn’t belong,” Kayla Darnell said.

She said every day is a constant reminder for her mother and she’s “suffered enough.”

“My family is broken, everyone makes mistakes and this has been nothing more than a terrible mistake,” she said.

Poston called Patrick an “innocent victim.”

“He couldn’t do anything to prevent the horrible injuries he received and death he suffered,” he said.