Andrew J. Garasich, a 29-year-old former U.S. Army Sergeant from Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, has been given a 12-year federal prison sentence for the charge of aggravated child neglect, as was detailed in a recent announcement by Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Garasich's two-month-old child endured severe neglect that left the infant with critical injuries, including extensive burns and a skull fracture.
The heinous nature of the offense which took place on December 30, 2022, was exposed when the child was taken to Houston County Community Hospital presenting injuries so serious that a life flight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center was promptly necessitated, Garasich did not accompany the baby during this urgent ordeal, and the child's condition was so grave that it immediately caught the attention of medical staff and local authorities, and it was noted by McGuire that the child, now in a more nurturing environment, continues to face enduring challenges stemming from the neglectful actions of the father. In a case that underscores the justice system's staunch dedication to protecting children, this sentencing serves as a clear testament of that commitment.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the investigation, which ultimately led to Garasich's conviction, was a collaborative effort between several agencies including the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI Nashville Field Office. The agencies were praised for their commitment by McGuire, and in the same vein, Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office commented on the community’s collective intolerance for child abuse and the concerted efforts to ensure perpetrators face significant consequences because our society cannot permit such repugnant behavior, as "there is no place in our community for those who harm children," he stated.
Andrew J. Garasich, 29, a former U.S. Army sergeant from Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, will serve four years of supervised release following a 12-year federal prison sentence for aggravated child neglect, stemming from a case involving his two-month-old child who suffered severe injuries. The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Morrison and Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire, revealed that Garasich had a prior encounter with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services in 2019 that did not result in charges. The child’s mother, named as a co-defendant, is scheduled for sentencing on August 5, 2025.
