An Oklahoma babysitter who was hired by parents on Facebook has been sentenced for killing an infant, after it was revealed she had been convicted of a strikingly similar crime. Holly Sheppard received a life sentence for the second time on Wednesday in connection with the death of 22-day-old Willow Rose Shelton.
Details of the Case
Sheppard had advertised her services on the social media platform, where Willow's parents found her and hired the woman to care for their baby. After just four days in the babysitter's care in 2018, Willow was rushed to St Anthony's Hospital with 'non-accidental abusive head trauma' and died shortly thereafter. Oklahoma City police arrested Sheppard and interviewed multiple witnesses, but investigators were unable to determine who was caring for the infant at the time of the injury, leaving the case unresolved.
A Second Victim
Five years after Willow's death, two-month-old Korra Burdick was brought to Oklahoma Children's Hospital on July 14, 2023, with a brain injury. Korra had been under Sheppard's care in Ponca City, just over an hour from Oklahoma City. She survived and was treated in the hospital's intensive care unit. Initially, Sheppard told investigators she did not know how the baby got hurt, but she later changed her story several times and eventually admitted to dropping Burdick twice. She claimed she tripped over a toy, but doctors determined the brain injury was too severe for that explanation.
The infant suffered internal bleeding, two skull fractures, and required surgery to remove a flap of her skull to relieve pressure. Sheppard was subsequently arrested for child neglect, child abuse, and obstruction of justice, with bond set at $500,000. In November 2024, she entered a blind plea of no contest and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of release after 25 years in Kay County. She remains incarcerated, eligible for parole after 35 years.
Reactions and Warnings
Ponca City Deputy Chief of Police Josh Henderson described Sheppard's crimes as 'inexcusable and represent a profound betrayal of the trust placed in someone responsible for a child's care.' He added, 'No child should ever suffer harm at the hands of those entrusted with their safety.' Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy, urged parents to exercise caution when selecting babysitters online. 'I would be wary of searching for any individual to be a babysitter on the internet,' he said. 'If you go through a professional service, that's one thing, but don't just post to people who might be a connection on Facebook, "I need a babysitter," because how well do you truly know them?' Dorman recommended using legitimate babysitting services that conduct background checks and provide training for caregivers.
