Juan Visagie: Dad, 28, who shook his newborn daughter to death learns his fate

A young father found guilty of shaking his newborn baby to death has been sentenced to 11 years behind bars, with a judge branding him a ‘coward’.

Juan Daniel Visagie’s four-month-old daughter Aleaha died in hospital on December 27, 2020, three months after suffering a traumatic brain injury at the family’s home in Gosnells, south-east Perth.

The 28-year-old father told the High Court that the injuries were sustained after she fell from a sofa, but experts determined her injuries did not match his account.

The little girl’s injuries, which included two significant bleeds to her brain and bruising to her chest, leg and inner ear, were found to have most likely been caused by being violently shaken.

Visiage told his partner and Aleaha’s mother, Maddison Sammut, to lie to emergency services and provide cover for him.

Visiage’s lawyer, Rebekah Sleeth, told the court during sentencing that her client had succumbed to a “moment of madness” that resulted in Aleaha’s death.

The court was also told the family was being monitored by authorities over concerns he could harm Aleaha or Ms Sammut.

This is due to Visiage’s history of domestic violence allegations, including convictions for repeatedly beating a teenage ex-partner whom he also burned with a cigarette.

He was also convicted of grabbing another ex-partner by the throat and forcing her into a car.

Ms Sleeth told the court her client had acknowledged his anger management issues when he spoke to police.

Visiage’s daughter, Aleaha, died in December 2020 after spending three months in the hospital due to a traumatic brain injury suffered when he violently shook her.

The little girl’s injuries, which included two significant bleeds to her brain and bruising to her chest, leg and inner ear, were found to have most likely been caused by being violently shaken.

During sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Bruno Fiannaca described Visiage’s crimes as “a gross failure of his responsibilities” as a father.

“It should have been clear to you that such a shock could cause significant injury and even death,” Judge Fiannaca said, according to the ABC.

Although accepting Visiage had acted “out of frustration and anger,” his attempt to get Mrs. Sammut to lie for him was “an act of self-preservation that involved a certain degree of cowardice.”

The court heard that Visiage had a strong connection with religion and wanted to become a minister after leaving prison.

He will be eligible for parole in February 2030.