A 63-year-old in-home nurse accused of child neglect pled guilty on Monday and has been sentenced to a year in the Lee County Jail.

Kelly Perrigo was arrested in February after an investigation was conducted by the child’s parents. They suspected Perrigo would intentionally not feed their sickened child, saying that surveillance cameras situated around the home would record her not completing her duties.

Perrigo was reportedly instructed to feed the baby a bottle and put any remaining formula into his feeding tube.

Instead, surveillance footage inside the home captured Perrigo feeding the baby for a few minutes, leaving the bedroom with a full bottle and dumping the rest of the formula down the sink.

When the Cape Coral Police Department began investigating Perrigo, she had informed them that the company she worked for, Team Select, a company whose website stated that it specializes in long-term adult care and long-term pediatric care, knew she didn’t have any experience with young children.

She also said she wasn’t sure of the child’s exact diagnosis, but knew he was a micro-preemie born at 24 weeks.

Perrigo appeared in court on Monday, where she pleaded guilty to her child neglect charges. During the court hearing, the mother of the infant spoke, saying that since the incident, the baby had undergone 12 surgeries and will have long-term issues because of the lack of nutrition in those early development years of his life. 

“I forgive you, Kelly,” said the child’s mother. “My forgiveness is not for you, but for my own and Lucas, but I will never forget how this has harmed Lucas and our family. You have only given everyone a reason to fight harder and protect him with every fiber of their being. The plea deal you received is not what we initially wanted, but the length of your jail time won’t change what has happened. Nothing will allow us to turn back the clock. Lucas lost precious opportunities and growth and development when he needed it the most. In that time, an opportunity is lost forever. However, this agreement ensures that you will never be given the responsibility of caring for another child.”

Perrigo will face one year in jail, followed by 4 years of state probation, is ordered to stay away from the child’s family’s home and must relinquish her nursing license. 

Nicholas Karsen is a Digital Specialist and has been with WINK News since May 2023.