Overview

• Melissa Wilband was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court after a jury convicted her of the manslaughter of her four-month-old daughter Lexi.
• A post-mortem examination and clinical evidence showed Lexi suffered fatal brain hemorrhages consistent with violent shaking on multiple occasions, including a final incident during bath time.
• During the trial, prosecutors revealed Wilband presented a forged DNA certificate to her partner, Jack Wheeler, who was later cleared when manslaughter charges against him were dropped.
• Lexi collapsed at her home in Newent in April 2020, was treated at Gloucestershire Royal and Bristol Children’s hospitals, and died six days later as a nurse remained by her side overnight.
• Mr Justice Saini described Lexi as a healthy and delightful baby and emphasized that Wilband’s extreme actions carried a foreseeable risk of serious injury.