Saucier gets prison term
Published on July 23rd, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - A Stoneham man pled guilty to charges dating back to last September that he physically assaulted his six week-old infant son leaving him in a "persistent vegetative state", according to Middlesex District Attorney officials.
Brian Saucier, age 33, was sentenced to 9-10 years in State Prison and five subsequent years on probation after changing his plea to guilty on charges of assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery.
The sentencing took place on June 30 in the Middlesex Superior Court of Judge Christopher Muise on the separate charges of assaulting his baby and the mother of his child.
According to Stoneham Police accounts of the incident, police officials were summoned to 121 Franklin Street during the early hours of September 19, 2002 for a reported "unresponsive baby."
Tyler Conzo was not breathing, according to Middlesex District Attorney officials, and there was evidence of bruising to the thighs, buttocks and face of the newborn. Conzo was holding his unconscious newborn when Stoneham Police arrived at the scene, and emergency personnel quickly administered CPR.
Assistant Middlesex District Attorney Steven Hoffman claimed during the dangerousness hearing that "Saucier claimed to have spanked the newborn in order to stop him from crying" and "that's what his parents had done to him."
Saucier had a lengthy criminal history prior to the assaults that included five convictions for assault and battery, a prison term for an armed robbery conviction and a current stint on probation for illegal distribution of Class A drugs.
The six-week old baby was transported to Mel-rose/Wakefield Hospital, and, a short time later, transferred to New England Medical Center's Floating Hospital for Children.
According to Middlesex District Attorney officials, physicians diagnosed Tyler Conzo with shaken impact syndrome, and, at 11 months-old, currently lives in a vegetative state under the care of his mother Keri Conzo. During the court proceedings, Conzo had Tyler's last name legally changed from Saucier to Conzo.
Saucier pled guilty to striking his girlfriend Keri Conzo, and then shaking their infant son.
Saucier was arrested on September 19, 2002 and arraigned at Woburn District Court. He was ordered held without bail at a dangerousness hearing at Woburn District Court on September 24.
According to Stoneham Police Det. Bob McKinnon, one of the lead investigators on the case, the current sentence may be not the last chapter in the tragic story.
"If there is any change in the baby's condition, then D.A.'s Office would be reviewing the case against Mr. Saucier," said McKinnon, who also added that Conzo and her family were caring for the infant.
"This is one of those instances where I wish there were more services in place to teach these kids how to be parents," said Stoneham Police Chief Gregory O'Keefe shortly after the arrest. "Children come from families where they were regularly abused by their parents, and then they continue the cycle of violence by hitting their kids. We give out licenses to drive or get married, but it seems like anyone can go out and have a child."
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!