Several of Schmitt’s relatives and friends spoke on her behalf, all saying they know Schmitt to be loving, caring person with children, and all saying they believe her claim it was an accident.

“Jennifer does not have it in her heart to intentionally hurt a child,” her husband, David, told the court.

He spoke of the daily angst his wife has lived with since the incident.

“Since then, Jennifer has had a severe phobia of even holding another child for fear of dropping it,” he said.

Jennifer Schmitt told the court that since the incident she has become an outcast in her community and is reluctant to leave her home.

“I don’t feel I can say I’m sorry enough ... I dropped him and he fell, and no one wants to believe what happened. You can hate me for the rest of my life, but hate me for what actually happened ... it was an accident.”

The boy’s injuries included skull fractures, severe hemorrhages and brain damage, and a broken arm.

Judge Terrence Conkel said he imposed the presumptive sentence of 41 months — the maximum for the crime — because he determined there were no compelling factors to deviate downward.