KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany −The wife of a Spangdahlem airman was sentenced to five years in jail for failing to adequately protect her 8-month-old son from his father, who stands accused of murder, assault and other charges, U.S. and German officials said Tuesday.

Jennifer Wickware, 23, was found guilty in a German court last week of maltreatment, negligence with lethal consequences and failing to adequately care for her baby, said Jӧrn Patzak, lead prosecutor in the case. She is the wife of Airman 1st Class Horace Wickware, whose court-martial begins June 27 at Spangdahlem Air Base.

“As a mother, it would have been your duty to help your helpless child,” Judge Petra Schmitz was quoted as saying in German media.

The Wickwares’ infant son, Cordale, died Oct. 30 at a hospital in Trier. Patzak said the child suffered burns, fractures to both arms, a broken upper leg, a brain injury and several broken ribs. He added the wife was submissive to her husband and unwilling to remove the baby from his violent surroundings.

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