Jennifer Hodge Pleads Guilty to Child Strangulation

Written by Jasmine

This week, 29-year-old Jennifer Hodge pled guilty to the felony charge of second degree strangulation after she admitted to intentionally strangling an 18-month-old child until the child lost consciousness. Luckily, the child is still alive.

According to prosecutors, the crime took place at the University of Rochester Medical Center where the child was a patient. Hodge was apparently a relative of the victim, who has not yet been identified. 

Hodge’s case was prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Meredith Vacca and Amanda Balling. Meredith Vacca had this to say about Hodge, “I want to thank the Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Child Protective Services and the nurses and doctors at the Golisano Children’s Hospital who assisted in this investigation. The actions by all involved helped save the life of this child.”

Hodge is scheduled to be arraigned by state Supreme Court Justice J. Scott Odorisi on Thursday, November 21st. District Attorney Sandra Doorley tweeted the following message after learning of Hodge’s plea:

Jennifer Hodge pled guilty to Strangulation 2nd for the intentional suffocation of a child. Thank you @RochesterNYPD, @URMed_GCH and Monroe County CPS. Great job to my Child Abuse Bureau who are out advocating for our children each and every day! Justice!

— Sandra Doorley (@sandra_doorley) October 16, 2019