August 21st 2024.
Terry McKirchy, a former babysitter, has recently come to a plea agreement in the tragic death of Benjamin Dowling. In this plea deal, McKirchy has pleaded guilty for her involvement in the death of Dowling, who was left disabled and injured after an incident that occurred when he was just a baby.
The incident took place in 1984 when Dowling, who was only five months old at the time, suffered a brain hemorrhage while under McKirchy's care at her home in Fort Lauderdale. Despite his family's efforts and support, Dowling passed away at the age of 35 on September 16, 2019, at his home in Florida's Gulf Coast. His life was a constant struggle due to the disabilities he acquired from the incident.
During the court hearing, McKirchy, now 62 years old, read a letter written by her lawyer to Dowling's parents. In the letter, she confessed to the exhaustion and overwhelming feeling she experienced while looking after multiple children, which ultimately led her to strike Dowling out of frustration.
McKirchy, who was dressed in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, remained emotionless as the letter was read aloud. On the other hand, Dowling's mother, Rae Dowling, recalled how her son's body was limp and his fists were clenched when she picked him up from the babysitter's house. He was shaking intensely, which doctors later confirmed was the cause of his brain hemorrhage. McKirchy was arrested a few days later.
As the court proceedings continued, Dowling's father, Joe Dowling, also attended the hearing. He and his wife were devastated to see their son in such a condition. Benjamin Dowling never progressed beyond the developmental stage of a five-month-old infant. His family described him as wheelchair-bound and unable to communicate or eat without assistance. He had undergone several surgeries, including having metal rods inserted along his spine. An autopsy later revealed that his death was a result of the injuries he sustained as a baby.
McKirchy faced a first-degree murder charge and a possible life sentence in prison before accepting the manslaughter plea deal. This was a significant change from her previous no-contest plea for attempted murder in 1985, while she was six months pregnant. She was sentenced to weekends in jail until she gave birth to her third child and then placed on probation for three years.
In May, McKirchy, who currently resides in Sugar Land, Texas, turned herself in to the Broward County Jail to begin serving her sentence as the plea deal was being finalized. Her sentence has brought some closure to the victim's family, but the pain of losing their son still remains.
Melissa Dowling, Benjamin's younger sister, spoke of her brother's inspiring presence and the valuable lessons he taught her and others about compassion, empathy, patience, and understanding. She also mentioned how he never had the opportunity to walk, talk, or even say "I love you." Despite the tragedy, Benjamin's life has left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
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