Latest news with #AbigailLobisch
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Babysitter sentenced for baby's death in Hawaii military housing
A former babysitter has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following her manslaughter conviction in the 2019 overdose death of a 7-month-old baby in privatized military housing in Hawaii. Dixie Denise Villa, 46, was sentenced Wednesday in Hawaii civilian court, more than six years after baby Abigail Lobisch died on Feb. 23, 2019, from an antihistamine overdose in Villa's unlicensed daycare at her house at Aliamanu Military Reservation in Honolulu. 'It's been more [than] 2,260 days and all that time my heart has never stopped hurting,' said Abigail's mother, Anna Lobisch, during the sentencing hearing, according to a video of the hearing posted by Court TV. 'My life has been defined by grief and loss and the pain of living without Abi is a heavy weight I will carry every single day for the rest of my life until Abi and I are finally reunited.' Anna Lobisch described her daughter as 'a sweet baby, so loving, so full of life. She had the kindest eyes, and anyone who met her instantly fell in love with her.' 'I'll never hear her call me mama,' she said. A jury in Hawaii's civilian court system convicted Villa of manslaughter in November. At the time of Abigail Lobisch's death, Villa was operating an unlicensed daycare out of her house after being shut down multiple times by base officials. A divorce case involving Villa and her husband, who was active duty Navy at the time of the incident, is listed as pending in Hawaii court documents. According to an arrest warrant affidavit submitted by a Honolulu Police detective, the medical examiner determined that the baby's blood tested positive for diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl and other similar medications, at a level of 2,400 nanograms per milliliter. That's nearly twice the 1,400 nanograms per milliliter concentration that is the average reported in infant fatal overdoses, according to the affidavit. Military family child care provided in homes on military installations requires certification from installation officials and is highly regulated with requirements for training and safety, inspections and curriculum. In September 2019, in the wake of Abigail Lobisch's death, the Defense Department's personnel chief called for officials to investigate reports of unauthorized daycare operations on installations. James Stewart, then-acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said officials should take appropriate steps to shut down unauthorized operations. The medical testimony in the case was clear, Judge Fa'auuga To'oto'o said during Villa's sentencing Wednesday. 'The amount of Benadryl found in the blood system of baby Abi shouldn't be given to any minor, much less to a baby seven months old. Those are the facts in this case,' he said. 'The family waited six years for justice,' Honolulu prosecuting attorney Steve Alm said in an announcement of Villa's sentencing. 'We appreciate Judge To'oto'o's decision in this case. Our keiki [children] are vulnerable and those who care for them should be held accountable when they harm them.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Oahu Babysitter sentenced to 20 years in overdose death of infant
RELATED PHOTO GALLERY A circuit court judge Wednesday sentenced Dixie Denise Villa to 20 years in prison for the Feb. 23, 2019, Benadryl overdose death of a 7-month-old infant girl. Villa, who ran an unlicensed daycare at her home on Aliamanu Military Reservation, on Nov. 15 was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Abigail Lobisch. Circuit Judge Fa 'auuga To 'oto 'o told Villa that he could not place her on probation as she requested—based on the facts of the case, witness testimony and particularly the medical evidence. Villa's attorney, Megan Kau, asked that her client, be sentenced to 10 years' probation, so she could care for her two minor children. The 46-year-old former Navy housewife, who appeared for sentencing in a white paper jumpsuit, without the makeup and stylish clothes she wore at trial, did not address the court at the advice of counsel because she plans to appeal. She remained stoic as she was sentenced. Deputy Prosecutor Tiffany Kaeo told the judge that Villa had been under supervision in Florida for prior 'battery-type offenses, ' including some convictions, though dated. She argued against probation, asking the judge to hold Villa accountable in order to serve as a deterrent, to protect the public from further conduct, and the need to avoid disparities in sentencing for those with similar conduct. The judge acknowledged Villa's trial before a jury had been difficult. The testimony of medical professionals showed that Abigail Lobisch's blood contained a high level of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. It was well over the recommended amount, and should never have been given to children under the age of 6 without a doctor's recommendation, Kaeo had said. Kaeo said Villa, as a hired babysitter, had been entrusted with the care of a child. The child's mother, Anna Lobisch, had dropped off her daughter and son with Villa at the Aulani Resort &Spa, where Villa was staying with her young children, two visiting adult daughters and their adult friend. According to witness testimony, Villa got into an argument and was angry with her adult daughters and their friend, who had been staying at her home. They all abruptly left the resort, and she told them to leave her home, which left Villa alone that night to care for the four young children. The next morning, Villa told first responders she awoke to find the unresponsive infant, who had been sleeping with Villa in her bed, along with her two young children and Abigail's brother, Zachariah. But the baby had been dead for some time, showing signs of rigor mortis. The judge imposed 20 years of imprisonment based on the medical rec ords, and the amount of Benadryl found in the baby's blood. Anna Lobisch tearfully told the judge that her child was 'only 7 months old when she was cruelly taken from this world ' six years ago. 'In all that time, my heart has never stopped hurting.' 'Abi was a sweet baby, so loving, so full of life. She had the kindest eyes, and anyone who met her instantly fell in love with her gentle spirit. Her presence was calming, beautiful and pure.' 'Her family and I have missed her first birthday, … her first steps, her first words and her first day at school—the milestones every parent looks forward to, having been stolen.' 'I will never hear her call me mama, or comfort her through her toughest moments, ' Lobisch said, her voice breaking. Lobisch said Villa has shown no remorse. She said Abigail's death also hurt her older brother, Zachariah, who attended the sentencing, as well as the brother she never got to meet. 'Through all of this, Abi's story has reached people beyond this courtroom, ' Lobisch said, 'Her story has sparked conversations, raised awareness and inspired others to speak out.' The story has been seen online by millions, on television and in the newspaper, she said. (CourtTV covered the trial gavel to gavel.) 'She's shown the world the danger of giving children over-the-counter medications to make them sleep, ' Lobisch said. 'Through this unbearable tragedy, others have found the strength to speak up for other children. Abi's life mattered and she has made a difference, even though she was taken far too soon.' 'My hope is that Abi's story helps others to not make the same poor choices the defendant made that night … But justice is still necessary because people like her should never be given the chance to hurt another person again. Children like Abi deserve to be protected. No family should be allowed to suffer like I (and my sons ) have.' Lobisch said Villa could have called her that night, and she would have dropped everything and picked Abigail up. 'She never gave me that choice, and showed zero remorse. I ask you hold the defendant accountable … She does not deserve leniency … after walking free for almost six years.' Kau withdrew as counsel, and Villa plans to appeal with a new attorney. Villa has a May 9 district court hearing in a case in which she is accused of theft from the Navy Exchange. On April 28, the judge denied Villa's motion for a new trial. Kau argued there was new evidence from Anna Lobisch's ex-husband, James, that contradicted her testimony that she had not slept with their child in their bed. Kau also said Lobisch suffered from anxiety and had may have had reason to use the drug for her own medical conditions. The judge said the new evidence did not justify a new trial since there was overwhelming medical evidence and the baby was under the care of Villa alone. The Lobisches filed a federal civil lawsuit against the government and Island Palm Communities LLC, regarding Villa's unlicensed daycare. The case was stayed while the criminal trial was ongoing, and will likely resume shortly.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Motion denied for new trial in baby's Benadryl death
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Dixie Denise Villa, who was convicted in the 2019 manslaughter death of Abigail Lobisch, appeared in the courtroom of Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o on Monday for a motion for a new trial. 1 /3 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Dixie Denise Villa, who was convicted in the 2019 manslaughter death of Abigail Lobisch, appeared in the courtroom of Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o on Monday for a motion for a new trial. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Dixie Denise Villa and her attorney Megan Kau appeared Monday in the courtroom of Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o. 2 /3 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Dixie Denise Villa and her attorney Megan Kau appeared Monday in the courtroom of Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o. GoFundMe Abigail Lobisch died at 7 months old on Feb. 24, 2019, at an unlicensed home day care at Aliamanu Military Reservation. 3 /3 GoFundMe Abigail Lobisch died at 7 months old on Feb. 24, 2019, at an unlicensed home day care at Aliamanu Military Reservation. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Dixie Denise Villa, who was convicted in the 2019 manslaughter death of Abigail Lobisch, appeared in the courtroom of Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o on Monday for a motion for a new trial. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Dixie Denise Villa and her attorney Megan Kau appeared Monday in the courtroom of Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o. GoFundMe Abigail Lobisch died at 7 months old on Feb. 24, 2019, at an unlicensed home day care at Aliamanu Military Reservation. A circuit judge Monday denied babysitter Dixie Denise Villa's motion for a new trial in the Benadryl overdose death of 7-month-old Abigail Lobisch. Lobisch died Feb. 24, 2019, of diphenhydramine (the main active ingredient in Benadryl ) toxicity at Villa's Aliamanu Military Reservation home, and on Nov. 15 a jury found Villa guilty of manslaugter. Megan Kau, attorney for Villa, said in court that after the trial, new evidence came forth that could have changed the verdict. She said the baby's father, James Lobisch, and Vanessa Barnes, another woman, who babysat Abigail Lobisch, came forward with new information. James Lobisch told Deputy Prosecutor Tiffany Kaeo and a victim's advocate that his ex-wife had not been truthful about the issue of co-sleeping. Lobisch testified that his ex-wife lied during the trial when she testified she never slept with her baby in the same bed and that Abigail instead slept in a sidecar or crib attached to the side of her bed. 'We had shared the bed pretty much with both children since they were born, ' he said, referring to Abigail and their older child, Zachariah, now 8. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. He also provided Kau with photos and text messages to back up his claim. 'I know it sounds crazy, but I wanted Denise (Villa ) to have a fair trial, ' Lobisch said. 'I believe that she is guilty, but I did not want her to have a guilty verdict when somebody lied.' However, Circuit Judge Fa 'au 'uga To 'oto 'o said : 'Even Mr. Lobisch believes Ms. Villa is guilty. What she had was a fair trial. 'The only person who had custody was the defendant. It could not have been any other person.' To 'oto 'o said that based on the medical and other circumstantial evidence, the jury had the basis for finding the defendant guilty. 'The court doesn't believe that this evidence would change the verdict, ' he said. The state contends that Lobisch's motive in bringing up the matter may be that he and his ex-wife are in a custody battle over Zachariah. He denied the allegation and said Anna Lobisch had purchased a 'DockATot, ' which he said 'looks like a hot dug bun, and you put the child in between and you put that between parents.' He said they used it but never really used the sidecar. Anna Lobisch testified she used the DockATot in the sidecar. Kau also used a photo of Anna Lobisch purportedly sleeping on a couch at James Lobisch's father's Florida home, with her sleeping baby girl and Zachariah standing in front. But that photo was actually a live shot or short video taken on James Lobisch's iPhone, which, when Kaeo played it for the judge, revealed that neither Anna nor Abigail was asleep. The issue of co-sleeping was not raised as the cause of death. Kau grilled Anna Lobisch on a range of issues, alleging that lies call into question the truthfulness of her trial testimony. Barnes said Lobisch was suffering from anxiety and left her two children with her because she needed to go to the hospital, Kau told the judge. Kau pressed Lobisch during cross-examination whether she had mental health concerns related to anxiety. She said it was for medical reasons, but after the state objected and the judge instructed her to explain, she revealed she had suffered a miscarriage. Kau said Barnes sent messages to the Honolulu Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division about the anxiety Lobisch was experiencing and having to go to the hospital. Kau asserted that if Lobisch had anxiety, she had the opportunity to put the diphenydramine into the bottles of formula Villa fed to the baby. She alleged that Lobisch's miscarriage, her anxiety and inability to handle her children was motive, opportunity and intent. Villa will be sentenced May 7. Manslaughter has a maximum sentence of 20 years. Villa was running an illegal, unlicensed child care business out of her military housing home, which is the issue of a federal lawsuit by the Lobisches. The case was put on hold until the criminal case is over.
