Mom Gets 30-Year Sentence After Her Heroin-Addicted Baby Born In Auto Repair Shop Dies

A woman from Baltimore gave birth to a baby inside an auto repair shop in 2015. The baby, Matthew Kirsch Jr., didn’t stand a chance. He was reportedly born addicted to heroin and died just nine days after being brought into this world.

His mother Anne Kirsch was just handed down a harsh sentence for little Matthew’s death. She got 75 years, with all but 30 suspended, according to CBS Baltimore. She was found guilty of manslaughter and child abuse resulting in death.

Kirsch gave birth at the auto repair shop where she worked, according to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.

Nine days later, paramedics were called to a home where Matthew was found unresponsive. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

“Mrs. Kirsch admitted using heroin during the early stages of her pregnancy, as well as the night before Baby Matthew died,” the State's Attorney's Office said in a press release. “Authorities said the child was likely born with a heroin addiction and suffered severe withdrawal symptoms and physical pain. The child never received medical attention, and the medical examiner determined that the victim had only been fed sporadically during the short time he was alive.”

Heroin addiction wasn’t the only affliction that the baby faced during his nine days alive. An autopsy also revealed that the baby had likely suffered from blunt force trauma, which caused a traumatic brain injury, another press release from the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office states.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by both abuse and neglect. The boy’s father will also serve time for the boy’s death. Matthew Kirsch Sr., pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death, which he was sentenced to 25 years, all but 15 years suspended, for, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

[Photos: Baltimore Police Department]