UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Woman found guilty of shaking baby girl to death

Originally published on 3 April 2025

A woman from Gloucestershire has been sentenced to 15 years for the manslaughter of her baby daughter.

In April 2020, shortly after the start of the Covid 19 lockdown, Melissa Wilband, 28, was living with her two young children, a two-year-old boy and five-month-old baby Lexi. 

On the night of 12 April paramedics were called to the house, where Lexi was found showing signs consistent with trauma. She was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital, before being transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

On 17 April Lexi’s ventilator was turned off, and she died on the morning on 18 April 2020.
Medical examination showed that Lexi died from bleeding in her brain caused by violent shaking. Evidence also revealed additional blood on Lexi’s brain from an earlier incident of shaking.

Following a trial she was found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday 2 April 2025 at Bristol Crown Court.

Ann Hampshire of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Lexi’s life was tragically cut short by someone who should have loved and cared for her – her own mother.

“Everyone who has been involved in this case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Lexi’s death.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked in close partnership with our colleagues in Gloucestershire Constabulary to secure justice for Lexi and ensure that Melissa Wilband was held responsible for her actions.

“She now faces a significant jail term.”