Plymouth County Mother Indicted on Severe Child Abuse Charges After 2-Month-Old Suffers Devastating Brain Trauma

BROCKTON, Mass. — A Plymouth County grand jury has formally indicted a 34-year-old Abington woman in connection with the severe physical abuse of her two-month-old daughter, an escalating case that prosecutors say has left the infant with irreversible, catastrophic injuries.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced that Jillian Timmons was indicted on two counts of Assault and Battery on a Child Causing Serious Bodily Injury and one count of Reckless Endangerment of a Child. The indictment moves the case forward from the district court level to Brockton Superior Court, where Timmons will face arraignment at a later date.

Investigation Triggers Following Hospital Visit

The disturbing case unfolded on July 17, when Timmons brought her eight-week-old daughter to South Shore Hospital for medical treatment. According to investigators, a mandated reporter at the hospital quickly grew alarmed by the infant’s condition and contacted local authorities.

Medical personnel discovered that the baby’s core temperature had dropped to a dangerous 93 degrees. Furthermore, physical examinations revealed distinct bruising on both the left and right sides of the child’s face. Due to the alarming nature of her condition, the infant was rushed via Medflight to Boston Children’s Hospital for specialized critical care.

Specialized neurological evaluations at the hospital revealed that the two-month-old was suffering from severe brain bleeds determined to be several days old. Medical experts concluded that the trauma was entirely consistent with physical abuse and blunt force trauma. Prosecutors during earlier court proceedings described the infant as having suffered “significantly and irreversibly” severe harm, noting that the medical prognosis is so grim that the child may never walk, speak, feed, or care for herself.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Following the hospital’s notification, detectives from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, alongside Abington Police, launched a swift two-week investigation. Investigators ultimately developed probable cause to secure an arrest warrant for Timmons, taking her into custody on July 30.

During a subsequent search of Timmons’ Abington apartment, law enforcement seized an Apple iPad, a MacBook, and a written journal that Timmons reportedly kept tracking details about the infant.

Timmons was initially arraigned on July 31 in Brockton District Court, where she entered a plea of not guilty. Defense attorney Lauren McDonough argued during the proceedings that there was “zero evidence” tying Timmons to the abuse, describing her client as a devoted first-time mother who deeply loved her child and suggesting alternative possibilities. Prosecutors also noted that the child’s father—Timmons’ fiancé—had been separately hospitalized in intensive care after becoming unresponsive, though authorities have not publicly clarified whether that medical incident is linked to the criminal investigation.

Despite the defense’s arguments, a judge ordered Timmons held on $100,000 cash bail, double the amount requested by the prosecution, with strict orders to have no contact with the child or the child’s father if released.

As the case transitions to the superior court for formal arraignment on the grand jury indictments, the investigation remains a sobering reminder of the critical role mandated reporters play in protecting vulnerable children.

This is a developing local news story. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.