JASMIN SCHMIDT SHAKES BABY IN HAMSTEAD AND LEAVES HIM BRAIN-DAMAGED

In September 2008, a tragic case of child abuse unfolded involving Jasmin Schmidt, a nanny with a troubling history of violence against infants. The incident took place in Hampstead, North London, where Schmidt, aged 34, was entrusted with the care of a two-and-a-half-month-old baby boy while his parents attended a London Fashion Week event. The young child suffered severe injuries after an episode of violent shaking, which resulted in life-altering trauma.

Schmidt, who was a qualified paediatric nurse originally from Bonn, Germany, had been hired to look after the infant during the parents' absence. On the night of September 14, 2008, she was responsible for the child's care. According to reports, the night was restless, and during this period, Schmidt lost her temper. The forceful shaking inflicted on the baby caused tiny blood vessels between his skull and brain to tear and bleed, leading to significant brain damage. When the parents returned, they found their child in a dire state—limp, unresponsive, and with a bluish skin tone. They immediately took him to nearby St Mary’s Hospital, where medical examinations revealed the extent of his injuries.

Medical scans confirmed that the baby had suffered two brain bleeds, which caused his condition to worsen initially but later improved thanks to prompt medical intervention. Additionally, a fractured right ulna, the bone in the elbow, was identified, indicating that the injury had occurred within the 24 hours prior to hospital admission. The child's mother, who owns a designer clothing shop with her husband in North Yorkshire, described her distress upon discovering her son 'whimpering' in his cot after Schmidt's third night working for the family. She recounted that on the morning after the incident, she found Schmidt already dressed and preparing to leave, having told her not to disturb the baby because he was sleeping after a restless night. Schmidt claimed the child was simply tired and needed gentle taps to settle down.

However, the following morning, the mother noticed alarming signs. The baby’s skin was cold to the touch, his face was pale, and he appeared limp and lifeless. She described her panic: 'He felt limp and lifeless,' and she desperately shouted to keep him awake. When she contacted Schmidt by phone, the nanny dismissed her concerns, suggesting the baby might be suffering from a bug. The mother expressed her frustration, saying, 'She didn’t seem concerned. She didn’t show any sign she could help me with what was wrong. It was a little bit like I was worrying with no reason to worry.'

Once at St Mary’s Hospital, the full extent of the injuries was revealed. The medical team diagnosed two brain bleeds, which initially caused the child's condition to deteriorate. Fortunately, with swift and effective treatment, the brain injuries proved to be temporary, and the child eventually recovered. Today, he is a healthy six-year-old boy, a testament to the rapid medical response.

Jasmin Schmidt was tried and convicted at the Old Bailey, where a jury found her guilty of two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm. The court sentenced her to three years in prison for each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. It was also disclosed that earlier in the year, Schmidt was acquitted of causing actual bodily harm to a two-month-old girl between August 16 and 19, 2006, and a three-month-old boy between July 20 and 23, 2003.

During her sentencing, Mr. Recorder Jeremy Gold QC condemned Schmidt’s actions, stating, 'As you have never revealed what you did to him, I cannot rule out that these injuries were inflicted by you in an outburst of violence resulting from a loss of temper or a lack of sleep or both.' He emphasized that, as a qualified paediatric nurse, Schmidt should have known the severity of her actions. The judge described her conduct as 'an act of genuine cruelty' and expressed disappointment that she continued to deny responsibility. He further remarked that her behavior demonstrated she was unworthy of working with children and that she should never be entrusted with their care again.

Judge Gold also criticized Schmidt’s apparent lack of remorse, noting that her refusal to accept her role in the injuries had caused additional suffering for the child's family. The court highlighted the immense strain placed on the parents and grandmother, who were left to cope with the trauma of their child's injuries while suspecting the nanny. The judge pointed out that the parents' quick action in taking the baby to hospital likely prevented long-term damage, contrasting their concern with Schmidt’s indifference.

As part of her punishment, Schmidt was also banned from working with children for life. Her employment history included working for several affluent families in West London after arriving in the UK in 1998. She had previously worked for a well-known pop star, whose identity remains protected by law. Schmidt qualified as a paediatric nurse in Germany in 1997 before relocating to London, where she registered with agencies such as Occasional and Permanent Nannies in April 2000. In recent years, she retrained and completed a degree at London South Bank University, shifting her career into the financial industry.

Despite her professional background, her actions in Hampstead have cast a long shadow over her reputation, and her criminal conviction underscores the serious consequences of child abuse, even by those entrusted with the most vulnerable.