A Hamilton Township man who killed his infant son was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday.
Jose Rojas, now 39, originally told police that JaSeir had fallen from a bed while at home Jan. 29, 2018.
But at the hospital, it was discover the 4 month old had "shaken baby syndrome."
"I'll never forget the feeling of my heart dropping into the pit of my stomach when the doctors and nurses at (the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia told me," Shelly Maddox said after learning what happened to her son. "I'll never forget the agonizing hours as I watched the life of my 4-month-old son slowly leave his body."
The medical report listed "subdural bleeding and subretinal hemorrhages too numerous to count," Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury said before imposing sentence.
The family does not agree with the plea deal, but accepted it, Maddox said.
He pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter.
Rojas' "inability to control his emotions and anger resulted in him murdering his own son," Maddox said.
"I thought, because you were his father, you would keep him safe and protected," she told Rojas. "Instead, you took his life."
Rojas was alone with JaSeir, his twin brother and their then-1-year-old brother at the time of the fatal attack.
Maddox's older daughter is in therapy, she said.
"I apologize to the Maddox family for the pain that I have caused," Rojas said, indicating that he took the deal to "help them with their pain."
He must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, or 8½ years, under the No Early Release Act.
Rojas has credit for at least 714 days, meaning he has less than seven years left on his mandatory sentence. He then must serve three years' parole supervision. He is to have no contact with the victim's family.
Rojas was on parole at the time of the killing. His criminal history includes drugs, simple assault and weapons offenses.
"With today's sentencing, closure and healing can really begin," Maddox told BreakingAC after the sentencing.
