Executive Summary
- Bianca DeSouza was sentenced to treatment rather than prison for the death of her newborn.
- The defendant faced a potential 14-year sentence for aggravated manslaughter under Florida guidelines.
- Palm Beach County investigators alleged the infant suffocated after the teen gave birth at home in 2021.
WEST PALM BEACH — A Florida judge has ordered treatment rather than incarceration for Bianca DeSouza, who faced a potential 14-year prison sentence in connection with the 2021 death of her newborn son. The ruling concludes a legal process that began when Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies charged DeSouza with aggravated manslaughter in December 2022, nearly 18 months after the infant’s death.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place at DeSouza’s residence in suburban Boca Raton. Investigators stated that after giving birth at home, DeSouza ignored the child’s cries and allowed the infant to suffocate against her thigh while she remained in bed recovering from the delivery. First responders reported that the newborn was unresponsive upon their arrival, and subsequent attempts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful.
Judicial Sentencing Context
The court’s decision to forgo a prison sentence in favor of treatment highlights the discretionary power judges possess to weigh mitigating factors, such as age and mental health, against statutory sentencing guidelines. In cases involving aggravated manslaughter, Florida guidelines typically mandate significant incarceration; however, the judicial focus here appears to be on rehabilitation rather than punitive confinement given the defendant’s youth at the time of the incident. It is important to note that under the U.S. justice system, all individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
