Executive Summary
- Sentencing for Lily Scheip has been rescheduled to December 29.
- Scheip was previously convicted of manslaughter by a jury.
- The case involves the 2021 death of her 14-week-old son, Dominic.
- Scheip was found to be the sole adult present when the infant became unresponsive.
The sentencing hearing for Lily Scheip, a Sarasota woman found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her 14-week-old son, has been postponed until late December, according to updated court filings. Originally slated for earlier this month, the hearing is now scheduled for Monday, December 29.
Scheip, 35, was convicted by a jury following the death of her son, Dominic. The charges stem from an incident on the night of November 8, 2021. According to police reports and court testimony, Scheip was alone at home with her two sons, both under the age of two, while her husband was attending band practice. Authorities stated that she discovered the infant unresponsive and not breathing in his bassinet. Scheip was subsequently arrested approximately four months after the incident.
Procedural Next Steps
The postponement of the sentencing phase allows for additional preparation by legal counsel but prolongs the final resolution of the 2021 case. In cases involving manslaughter convictions, particularly those involving minors, judicial discretion plays a critical role in determining the severity of the penalty within state guidelines. The hearing on December 29 will officially set the terms of incarceration based on the jury’s guilty verdict. It is important to note that while a conviction has been recorded, the judicial process ensures defendants retain specific rights regarding the sentencing phase and potential appeals.
