Felicity Scanlon ‘absolutely heartbroken’ after former partner and baby’s father Koebbie Marius on a good behaviour bond for shaking daughter

A young mother has been left fuming after her former partner who shook their three month old daughter, causing a brain bleed, received a suspended sentence.

A mother has been left “absolutely heartbroken” that the man who caused sickening harm to their three month old daughter is walking free.

Felicity Scanlon, 22, said she never thought once that her former partner was capable of hurting their baby and has slammed his excuse.

Felicity Scanlon has been left “absolutely heartbroken. Picture: Dean Martin

The baby’s father, Koebbie Marius was handed a suspended sentence in the District Court earlier this month after his counsel argued the horrific acts occurred while he was in an “autistic meltdown”.

Ms Scanlon said when she returned home from work on April 21, 2021 she found her usually happy and excitable daughter lethargic and non responsive.

“She had bruising under her eyes and I obviously started freaking out,” she said.

Ms Scanlon rushed her daughter to the Women and Children’s Hospital after Marius claimed he had knocked her head on a doorframe.

Ms Scanlon said she returned home from work on April 21, 2021 she found her usually happy and excitable daughter lethargic and non responsive. Picture: Dean Martin

Doctors observed the injuries to be inconsistent with that conduct and also observed a mixture of old and new bruises.

On examination, it was noted that the baby’s injuries included subdural haemorrhages, retinal haemorrhages and bruising to the abdomen.

It was found that Marius squeezed his daughter’s torso on one occasion and shook her, causing her brain to bleed on another occasion.

Marius pleaded guilty to two counts of recklessly causing harm.

The court heard Marius was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2023.

“Your counsel argues that your conduct occurred in circumstances where you did not have the skills, maturity or the cognitive ability to be left alone and supervise a child,” Judge Joanne Tracey said.

“The offending is said to have occurred in the context of what is described as an autistic meltdown where you were so overwhelmed by stimuli that you acted in a manner which caused harm to the child, but without intention to do so.”

Koebbie Marius was sentenced for recklessly causing harm. Picture: Facebook

He was handed a suspended sentence, which left Ms Scanlon and her family “absolutely heartbroken”. Picture: Facebook

Marius was sentenced to two years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and four months.

However, the sentence was suspended on a two year good behaviour bond.

“My family and I were absolutely heartbroken. We were fuming at the system for letting him go,” Ms Scanlon said.

Ms Scanlon said Marius ruined her life and her family’s life, with his attack so severe at one stage doctors thought they would have to perform emergency brain surgery on her daughter. “Everyone has mental health issues, but there are people that struggle more than him who wouldn’t think twice about harming their own child.” she said.

“I myself get over stimulated with noise but I would never think about harming my kids or kids in general.”

Ms Scanlon, who fell pregnant with their daughter very quickly into their relationship, said Marius didn’t show his true colours until they moved in together.

Fortunately, Ms Scanlon said despite the traumatic assault her now four year old daughter is a very healthy and happy girl.

“She’s a big daredevil, she loves the outdoors and she’s the happiest and smartest little girl I know,” she said.

Originally published as Felicity Scanlon ‘absolutely heartbroken’ after former partner and baby’s father Koebbie Marius on a good behaviour bond for shaking daughter