Slain tot’s mom won’t blame husband

WISCASSET – The mother of a 13-month-old girl who was shaken to death testified she was a terrible mother, but she didn’t take responsibility for the child’s injuries, nor did she accuse her husband.

Stacie Hart testified after her husband pleaded guilty to manslaughter that she mentally abused her children but she stopped short of taking responsibility for the child’s physical injuries, including broken bones.

The hearing, which continued Thursday in Superior Court, will help a judge decide how much time Erik Hart will spend in prison.

Erik Hart pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter in exchange for the state dropping a murder charge. The agreement, which the judge can accept or reject, calls for a sentence cap of 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Erik Hart threw his stepdaughter, Chelsea Taplin, to the floor when she wouldn’t stop crying in June 1998.

On Wednesday, Stacie Hart told a prosecutor she noticed more bruises, scratches and bumps on Chelsea after Hart moved into their house. “Chelsea didn’t like to be near him. If he walked over to her, she’d cry,” she said.

An autopsy showed the toddler suffered more than 20 serious injuries, including broken bones. She also had marks around her neck.

While saying she was not responsible for the broken bones, Hart did not accuse her husband of violent child abuse, either.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese hammered Hart about her lack of curiosity at seeing Chelsea’s puffed lips, a black eye, a scraped and bloodied chin, and bruises on her arms and legs.

Time and again, Marchese asked, “Did that cause you concern?”

Hart replied, “No.”

Hart was emotionless at first. Her droning voice, mumbled responses, long pauses and poor memory prompted a huddle of lawyers, with Marchese then asking her if she was on alcohol or drugs. Hart said no.

Later, Hart told the court she was “a terrible mother,” and said she preferred working to taking care of her two kids, including an older daughter Brianna, then 5. She admitted she didn’t like being around them.

“I mentally abused both children. I never gave them the love they deserved. I wasn’t there for them,” Hart said, wiping her eyes.

She hesitated to characterize Erik Hart’s handling of the baby as too rough. She said she saw him slap their hands, kick Brianna once, and spank them both, usually when they cried or interrupted his television viewing.

Brianna has been placed in state custody.

Stacie Hart pleaded guilty to assaulting and endangering the welfare of her daughter for her role. Both she and Erik Hart are expected to be sentenced in January in Superior Court.