On Dec. 30, 2024, 22-year-old Jalin White pleaded guilty to causing great bodily harm and neglect after prosecutors say he threw his 8-month-old son against a wall during a frustrating loss in NBA 2K. The infant suffered a skull fracture, six fractured ribs at different healing stages and a clavicle fracture; he now has vision problems and needs a feeding tube. White received a 12-year prison sentence plus seven years of extended supervision and expressed remorse in court.
Wisconsin Father Sentenced to 12 Years After Throwing 8-Month-Old During NBA 2K Loss
Milwaukee County JailJalin White
A Wisconsin father, 22-year-old Jalin White, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to physically abusing and neglecting his 8-month-old son. Prosecutors say White threw the infant against a wall in frustration while losing a competitive match of the video game NBA 2K. He also faces seven years of extended supervision after his prison term.
Details of the Case
Milwaukee police were alerted on Nov. 5, 2024, after hospital staff reported signs of possible child abuse. Medical records and the criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE state the infant suffered multiple, severe injuries: a skull fracture, six fractured ribs at different stages of healing, and a healing fracture of the left clavicle.
Investigators learned that White was caring for the baby while the child’s mother was out. During the investigation he provided conflicting accounts of how the injuries occurred—at one point saying the mother accidentally hit the baby’s head on a door frame and at another suggesting the infant fell during a diaper change. He later admitted he had picked up the baby while playing a competitive game of NBA 2K and, frustrated by being down two points in the fourth quarter, threw the child against a wall.
FOX6 News Milwaukee/YouTubeJalin White
Sentencing and Statements
White pleaded guilty on Dec. 30, 2024, to physical abuse causing great bodily harm and neglect of a child. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by seven years of extended supervision. At sentencing, White said, "My intentions were never to hurt my baby boy. Everything just happened so quick," and expressed remorse and acceptance of responsibility.
Prosecutor: "You have one of the most innocent victims in our community hurt by the very person who under the law should protect them," according to prosecutor Matthew Torbenson.
White’s defense attorney, Annette Rauch, told PEOPLE that her client is "incredibly remorseful," has taken responsibility and extended condolences to the child’s family. Prosecutors say the infant now has vision problems and requires a feeding tube.
Resources
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Reporting and coverage of the case appeared in PEOPLE and local outlets including FOX6 News Milwaukee.
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