WILKES-BARRE — A mother pointed to a harmful relationship with her partner as a factor in the severe physical abuse of her 4-year-old daughter and neglect of her 16-year-old autistic son.
Sheona Eyonne Banks, 34, made this statement during her sentencing hearing before Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas on Tuesday.
Lupas observed Banks' lack of regret and sentenced her to four years, six months to 20 years in state prison for multiple counts of endangering the welfare of children and a single count of reckless endangerment. Banks admitted guilt to the charges on Jan. 18.
Assistant District Attorney Jarrett Ferentino, along with assistant district attorneys John C. Aciukewicz and Carly Levandoski, remarked that it was a miracle the girl survived.
Wilkes-Barre police Detective Christopher Maciejczyk charged Banks and Deborah Anne Holton, 33, after they brought Banks' daughter to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township on Feb. 25, 2022.
Registered forensic nurse Tessa Weigand testified previously that the girl had multiple bruises and a deformed skull with signs of brain trauma.
Ferentino mentioned that parts of the girl's face were missing.
Weigand, an ER nurse for 11 years, was close to tears during Banks' sentencing hearing while describing the girl's injuries and Banks' lack of responsiveness to questions.
“I believed she was going to die. I’ve never seen anything like that in my 11 years as a nurse,” Weigand said.
Ferentino disclosed that the girl recovered but has limited physical mobility.
“This is the worst child abuse case I have ever prosecuted in my 20 years,” Ferentino stated.
Lupas commented that all child abuse cases are “horrific,” but the one involving Banks and Holton “is over the top.”
“This defendant needs to be held accountable,” Lupas declared just before sentencing Banks.
Holton was sentenced by Lupas to five-to-17 years in state prison on charges of child endangerment and reckless endangerment in December 2022.
