Lauren E. Shockey, the Langhorne mom who severely injured her 8-day-old daughter during a psychotic episode last year, will not serve any prison time, a Bucks County judge ruled Wednesday.
County Judge Jeffrey Finley said he made his decision after a
month of deliberation and study on postpartum psychosis. Shockey, 27, was diagnosed with the disease after she was arrested.
Looking around the Doylestown courtroom, filled to standing-room-only capacity by Shockeys family and friends, the judge said he was also swayed by the outpouring of support for the new mother.
This was a struggle, Finley said. This was a difficult decision. But the show of support here today speaks highly of you.
The judge sentenced Shockey, of Orchard Avenue, to 10 years of probation. The sentence was a departure from state sentencing guidelines, which called for up to five years of incarceration.
As a condition of the sentence, Shockey must remain in mental health treatment.