Woman Gets One Year For Hospital Death Of Her Special Needs Daughter

October 12, 2023

An Escambia County woman convicted of battery and child abuse for an incident that claimed her daughter’s life in 2021 has been sentenced to one year in jail.

Jessica Ann Caroline Bortle, 36, also received three years probation and will be required to attend parenting classes. Bortle was originally charged with negligent manslaughter and aggravated child abuse for the death of 14-year old Jasmine Singletary inside Sacred Heart Hospital.

In July, a jury returned a guilty verdict on lesser charges of battery and child abuse.

Pensacola Police said Singletary — described as a special needs patient with a neuromuscular disorder — was in her room at Sacred Heart with her grandmother and Bortle.

Jasmine unexpectedly lost consciousness and stopped breathing, police said. Hospital staff began life saving procedures, but those efforts were unsuccessful and Jasmine died.

The autopsy showed that Jasmine had suffered massive injuries to her ribs and her liver. Those injuries were not present when she was admitted to the hospital.

Pensacola Police investigators said they determined that the injuries were caused by Bortle. An arrest report states she told police that she “slammed the hospital table into Singletary’s abdomen and then leaned onto the table with her weight” after she  became angry after Jasmine cussed at her over color crayons.

During her trial, Bortle maintained that it was all an accident.

Comments

23 Responses to “Woman Gets One Year For Hospital Death Of Her Special Needs Daughter”

  1. Steve on October 17th, 2023 9:18 am

    A jury who heard the case found her guilty of a lessor offense than originally charged . Maybe they heard something .

  2. Pump the brakes cowpokes on October 14th, 2023 8:26 pm

    Justice was served for this tragic event. It was heart wrenching but this was absolutely a sad situation all the way around. Everyone wants to hang her w/out all the facts, typical show of ignorance. Do I feel public hanging should happen, dang right! Especially for those who view or possess CP. There is ZERO reason to have this in your possession.

  3. OH on October 13th, 2023 6:26 pm

    This is why we need to bring back public hangings

  4. Local on October 12th, 2023 11:50 pm

    Child porn guy gets 30 years…..
    Murder of special needs child one year……
    Something’s NOT right here.

  5. JTV on October 12th, 2023 9:28 pm

    Our lazy prosecutors and weak judges need to be forced out. All our LEOs can do is arrest them.

  6. David on October 12th, 2023 4:07 pm

    What kind of a sentence is this to hand down to a cold blooded murderer. It takes a Tom fool idiot to do it. Throw that man off the bench and retry the case!!! It is plain to see that this woman is a danger to everyone around her. Lock her up and throw away the key.

  7. Just sayin on October 12th, 2023 3:57 pm

    Prosecution didn’t allow all the evidence to be presented in this case by the investigators….for some reason…that is where an investigation needs to start.

  8. Pissed off and mad about it on October 12th, 2023 11:41 am

    What the heck I got a 120 days in Santa Rosa county jail on a violation of probation. And I didn’t do anything to anyone and was innocent . Something is wrong bad wrong. The judge needs to resign RIGHT NOW

  9. J-THE-G on October 12th, 2023 9:59 am

    Hopefully one year is long enough for someone in the jail to handle her

  10. James on October 12th, 2023 9:54 am

    This woman and the sentencing judge both deserve a more harsh punishment.

  11. Robin on October 12th, 2023 9:26 am

    Only a year??? This is disgusting…

  12. Tonya on October 12th, 2023 8:49 am

    You’ll answer to God for killing your child

  13. Tonya on October 12th, 2023 8:48 am

    Disgusting. She should have been charged with manslaughter and child abuse. One year????? Really??? No justice for jasmine. God will make you pay

  14. Lou on October 12th, 2023 8:43 am

    What an injustice for Jasmine. How is this possible? If I were the Grandmother, I would be seriously worried when I get old and need help….don’t make Jessica mad.

  15. Justice on October 12th, 2023 8:37 am

    A one year sentence is a joke!

  16. Mary on October 12th, 2023 8:35 am

    Unbelievable!! Why was the grandmother, who was in the hospital room also, not charged as well?!
    If she was scared of her murderous daughter, then why in God’s Name did she not scream for help?!
    She is just as guilty of murder as the one who committed the act!!
    When a drug dealer, or an animal abuser, gets more prison time than someone who murders their child, then it’s obvious that our justice system is broken.
    I understand that a situation like this no doubt is challenging, BUT, she had 14 yrs to do something to help herself & her child. I have no doubt that this child suffered 14 yrs if abuse.
    This case is deplorable at the least!!!

  17. RWA on October 12th, 2023 7:20 am

    People get more time for abusing an animal.

  18. WOW on October 12th, 2023 7:10 am

    One year for taking a child’s life? A special needs one no less! This despicable person needs to bet put “under the jail” for life!

  19. Anne on October 12th, 2023 6:49 am

    Jessica Ann Caroline Bortle……You can just SEE the Remorse on her face — NOT!!
    ONE YEAR? Oh that’s right, our new rehab justice system.

  20. Denbroc on October 12th, 2023 4:54 am

    One?

    Parenting classes? Does this mean she has more children at home?

  21. what on October 12th, 2023 3:12 am

    ONE YEAR FOR KILLING HER SPECIAL NEEDS KID?!?!?! HUH???
    THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO GO TO JAIL FOR LIFE FOR POT AND SHE GETS ONE YEAR FOR KILLING A KID?!

  22. tc on October 12th, 2023 1:04 am

    takes a pure evil judge to allow such a pathetic sentence for this animal! the same goes for the worthless defense lawyer that defended her! the Judge belongs in jail

  23. Sharona on October 12th, 2023 12:33 am

    One year! Massive injuries to ribs and liver in the hospital. Mother slammed the hospital table into child’s abdomen and leaned on the table causing rib, liver damage and death to an 14 year old girl over crayons. I understand the child was disabled and may have been a challenge, but why? If she couldn’t handle the care of this child, there are other options.