Father sentenced to probation for abuse that eventually killed his son, Billy Travis
CHAMBERSBURG - William Hunter Sr. spent the last six and a half years watching his ex-wife be tried and punished for fatally assaulting his son Billy, testifying against her, but rarely discussing his own involvement in the life lost.
Wednesday, he stood in front of the judge who sentenced his ex-wife, having pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment last month.
In the 36 hours after ex-wife Michele Hunter threw his then-4-year-old son - her stepson - to the ground on March 15, 2011 in their Chambersburg home, Hunter watched Billy and communicated with his then-wife about his condition, but did not act to get the boy help. Billy's brain tried but ultimately failed to process the traumatic injury, and the couple only called police after Billy's heart stopped, resulting in damage so great that he never recovered. Billy died three years later as a result of complications from the injury.
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Hunter's sentence includes four months on electronic monitoring, followed by two years and eight months of standard probation. He was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and court costs. He received credit for spending one day in jail.
Though Hunter testified twice against Michele Hunter, he never gave his full perspective on what happened to his son. When Hunter declined to comment on the case Wednesday, President Judge Carol Van Horn expressed disappointment.
"It's unfortunate that I haven't heard your voice in this matter," Van Horn said. She recognized that he immediately cooperated with police at the start of the investigation.
Billy's adoptive mother Kim Travis, who adopted him after the incident, gave a tearful statement to the court just prior to sentencing.
"I am here to be the voice of the most amazing child I've ever known," Travis said.
Billy came to Travis' household wheelchair bound, unable to speak, on a feeding tube and in need of constant care and support.
"All of this brings this evil to justice," Travis said. She knew that the bulk of the blame should be on Michele, but said that it's deeper than that.
"It's a father's job to love his children, to teach his children and above all else to protect his children," Travis said, adding that Hunter did not protect his son.
"(Billy) will remain our angel forever," Travis said. "He is now perfect and free."
Van Horn said, for the life of her, she could not understand why Hunter did not "stop the train that was in motion," and get Billy help sooner after the injury.
Read:Man to claim self defense in shooting of wife, step daughter
"There is no explanation," Van Horn said, only that he was accepting responsibility for the action.
"You'll be living with that for the rest of your life," Van Horn said.
"I'm swallowing hard and I'm going to impose the sentence," Van Horn said recognizing that Hunter's testimony was key evidence against Michele Hunter.
"You also contributed," Van Horn said. "You will receive a different sentence someday."
Convicted of third-degree murder in Billy's death, Michele Hunter is serving a 24-year sentence at a state prison.
Becky Metrick, 717-262-4762