Elijah, a four-month-old baby, tragically passed away on 5 January 2022, just three days after being found in cardiac arrest at his mother’s home in Belper, Derbyshire. The infant suffered catastrophic brain injuries, along with limb and rib fractures, consistent with being shaken violently by 16-year-old Carl Alesbrook. Medical evidence revealed Elijah had been shaken on at least three occasions, including New Year’s Day and the day he was hospitalized.
Alesbrook, from Matlock, Derbyshire, had only been in a relationship with Elijah’s mother, India Shemwell, for seven weeks when the incident occurred. Despite denying any harm, he was unanimously convicted of murder and grievous bodily harm with intent following a five-week trial at Derby Crown Court. Alesbrook was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison.
The court heard that Alesbrook had sent a Snapchat message referring to Elijah with a derogatory term just days before the baby went into cardiac arrest. He denied being irritated or jealous of the baby, as well as claims that his temper was triggered by a toothache. However, evidence painted a grim picture of his brutal actions.
Shemwell, Elijah’s 24-year-old mother, was also sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of child cruelty. These charges stemmed from her delay in calling emergency services and neglect of Elijah’s deteriorating condition. The day before Elijah was rushed to the hospital, she sent a video to friends showing him unresponsive, asking for advice instead of seeking immediate medical attention.
During the trial, Shemwell was described as a “thoroughly inadequate mother” who failed to provide proper care for her son but was not accused of inflicting any physical harm. Her defense lawyer acknowledged her failings, stating, “She knows she has let down her son, herself, and her family.”
Elijah’s grandmother, Rachel Shemwell, expressed her grief in a victim impact statement, lamenting how things could have turned out differently if her daughter had sought help earlier. She described Elijah as a source of happiness in their short time together.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg McGill, who led the investigation, emphasized the devastating nature of Alesbrook’s actions, stating, “Even a teenager knows the fatal risks of shaking a baby.” While acknowledging Shemwell’s severe neglect, McGill stressed that Alesbrook’s brutality was beyond what she could have anticipated.
This heartbreaking case highlights the consequences of child neglect and violence, leaving a family grappling with an irreplaceable loss and serving as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of young children.
