A grieving mother has expressed her anguish over what she considers an inadequate sentence for the man responsible for her baby son’s death.
Madison Butler described feeling “defeated” after 26-year-old Daniel John Ridgers, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, received a six-year prison term in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Thursday.
“Six years for my son’s life. It’s never enough. The charge should never have been dropped to manslaughter,” Butler said.
“I have no words. I’m broken. It’s not fair.”
The court heard that Khaylan suffered bruises and a brain injury as a result of the incident in December 2023.
Justice David Porter said that Ridgers, frustrated by the baby’s unsettled behaviour, shook him several times before shaking him again and dropping him into his cot, where he hit his head.
The defence noted that Ridgers suffers from ADHD and sensitivity to loud noises, suggesting elevated stress levels may have been a contributing factor in his actions.
With time already served and parole eligibility in just two years, Ridgers could be released from prison within five years.
Butler is now channeling her pain into advocacy and will push for new laws in memory of her baby son.
“There needs to be more laws around taking [the life of] a baby,” she said.
“So that’s my next step. I’m pushing for a Khaylan’s Law.”
