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Parents Plead Not Guilty

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Parents Plead Not Guilty

By Syreeta Baker

Story Published: Mar 6, 2008 at 2:48 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 6, 2008 at 9:39 PM CDT

It's a case that has grabbed the attention of Central Illinois.

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A mother and father accused of starving their five-month-old baby boy to death both entered not guilty plees in Court today.

21-year-old Tracy Hermann and 23-year-old James Sargent both pleaded not guilty to the charges of first degree murder.

Hermann and Sargent are expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 2 and their trial date is set for May 12.

The state is seeking the death penalty or an extended term.

It was almost one month ago when Peoria police found baby Sargent lying unresponsive strapped inside a car seat in the crib of a bedroom.

State's Attorney Kevin Lyon says Hermann and Sargent left the baby alone and unattended in a car seat for eight days.

View Oldest Comments First

Thursday, Aug 28 at 8:48 AM sarry wrote ...

I believe in the justice system. We are not being paid to be the judge and jury here. Should I remind everyone that in this country you are entitled to a fair trial, and not guilty until the jury of your peers say otherwise. Unless, you have inside information into the lives of these people, let the system work before you condemn the parents. Yes, I agree that IF they are truly guilty of this crime, then they need to be punished. If mental illness is the case, then they need help.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 9:01 PM stacey wrote ...

this is why i cant stand to read the paper anymore cause you pick it up and you read were a baby parents killed there own kids were was dcfs at,i am very angry the way the system is because i lost my children cause i was an alchoic well for one it runs in the family and for two i been sober 9 years now and been blessed with two more children and now i find my self asking god what i do so wrong to lose my kids when all i need wes help

Friday, Apr 18 at 7:26 AM a mom, far away wrote ...

I heard this terrible story back in February and just wanted to say that, baby Ben, I still think of you. Rest in peace little soul.

Sunday, Mar 9 at 9:03 PM Samantha wrote ...

In reply to Tina.I agree we'd always tell someone and they thought we were lying...We was told that he also stabbed his mother in the stomach with a screwdriver while she was pregnant because he was jealous..he was in a mental institution at one time...I believe that since he was in an institute he shouldn't have been aloud to have a child in his care ever...I think it's ridiculous that these parents did this and that it is gonna take so long to go to trial.it is clearly an open & shut case

Saturday, Mar 8 at 9:43 PM Jen wrote ...

Tracy did have a daughter as well. She is in foster care now, although she was living with a relative before this happened. Benjamin may not have been underweight before this instance, and others may have just thought he was a light child if he was. Each child grows differently. The only reason this child was 10 pounds when they found him was because he had starved for eight days. This is so sad, and I cannot believe the parents say they are not guilty!

Saturday, Mar 8 at 9:45 AM Tina wrote ...

In reply to Samantha: If he threatened to kill people at school with a pencil years ago, why was nothing done to stop him then? Maybe then this child could have been saved from this.

Friday, Mar 7 at 12:03 PM Tracy wrote ...

This is such a horrific story. I could go on and on about what should happen to the two parents, but there are only one saying that sums it all up. "An eye for an eye!" There are people in this world that cannot have kids and would have taken that baby and gaven him a wonderful life, but that isn't going to happen now is it. I hope these two individuals get the punishment they deserve.

Friday, Mar 7 at 10:54 AM Samantha wrote ...

I went to school with James and he was crazy then...he used to chase the whole class around with a pencil threatening to kill us...I think they should both be put in a room strapped in a chair and have food put within arms reach like they did to baby Benjamin and let them die that way...how could they plead not guilty do they think we r all stupid...we all know they did it so let them die like they did to Benjamin...R.I.P Benjamin u r safe now..they will never hurt u again.

Thursday, Mar 6 at 6:33 PM Nichole wrote ...

!?!?! Not Guilty !?!?! Did the kid choose not to eat, and choose to stay locked in a car seat? I think not... open & shut if you ask me

Thursday, Mar 6 at 6:31 PM natalie wrote ...

i can't belive it but my best friend thats her sister i was so mad when i found out

Thursday, Mar 6 at 6:18 PM Marie wrote ...

These two evil criminals need to suffer the way that Ben did. Why should our taxes pay for them to have food and shelter? My family and I bearly keep our bills paid and have enough food in the fridge. But oh yah, I'll send my taxes for those two evil people to have a free room and food to eat. These two need to be put to death immediately after their trial. Maybe if our government would change the way we punish criminals, maybe some of us wouldn't be so poor and there might be less crimes.

Thursday, Mar 6 at 6:17 PM Matt wrote ...

I think this whole thing is absolutely sick! And now these 2 parents are pleading not guilty! These parents are absolutely despicable! They both need to grow up and admit what they did was wrong. For anyone to justify there behavior in such a way that they did to this baby I can't think of anything more than some kind of mental illness with these 2 parents. I think these parents need to be locked in a room deprived from a toliet, food, and water until they die like Ben did.

Thursday, Mar 6 at 6:04 PM tammy wrote ...

is she the same tracey that worked at tgifridays as a host. if so she has a daughter too. where is she?

Thursday, Mar 6 at 5:45 PM anon wrote ...

I'm still trying to figure out why no one in their families noticed that Baby Ben was underweight or that he wasn't being cared for. Was he ever taken to the Dr for his checkups and shots? Apparently not or the Dr/nurses would have reported them to DCFS. Something is just not adding up in this case that no one noticed how this child was taken care of.

Thursday, Mar 6 at 3:46 PM Shelly wrote ...

This story amazes me everyday. Those 2 people are just plain evil and I can't believe they can actually plead not guilty!! Everytime I tink of that poor baby starving it breaks my heart all over again. These to need to be punished to the fullest extent, they deserve the death penalty by starvation am I the only one that is severly disturbed by this whole thing!!!

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