U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill has sentenced Jeannie Rene Romero, 25, to 60 months in prison for child abuse and neglect in Indian Country. Following her prison term, she will undergo five years of supervised release.
In October 2022, while caring for her three-week-old baby, Jeannie used excessive force during a diaper change, resulting in a broken femur. She delayed seeking medical attention for over 48 hours. Medical professionals identified additional injuries indicative of abuse.
Earlier in June, Judge Hill sentenced Jeannie's husband, Jacob Alejandro Romero, 24, to 24 months imprisonment for child neglect. Although he was at work when the incident occurred, he did not seek help despite the visible injury to the infant. Jacob will also have five years of supervised release following his sentence.
The couple's children were removed from their home and placed with family members. Both Jeannie and the baby are citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Jeannie remains in custody awaiting transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Jacob was previously released on bond but was taken into custody after his sentencing.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Sapulpa Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Ihler.