In a landmark sentencing at Brisbane Supreme Court, Robert Alan Gee has been handed a 13-year prison term for the 2021 manslaughter of five-week-old Michael Willmot. The tragic incident occurred when Gee, left alone with the infant at a Daisy Hill caravan park in Logan, violently shook the crying baby before throwing him onto a couch, causing catastrophic brain injuries.
Justice Martin Burns delivered the sentence on Friday as Gee remained emotionless, dressed casually in T-shirt and shorts. The court heard how Gee—who was not the biological father—had been overcome with frustration during the brief period of supervision, leading to the fatal assault.
Compounding the tragedy, medical attention was not sought in the subsequent days as Michael’s condition deteriorated. The infant’s mother, Kristie Lee Willmot, had left him in Gee’s care for less than an hour while obtaining drugs. She previously received a four-year suspended sentence for her role in the manslaughter and child cruelty charges, having failed to seek immediate medical assistance due to fears of child protection intervention.
Family spokesperson Malliree Reilly, Michael’s godmother, expressed relief at the sentencing outcome outside court, stating the family was “happy that this person is off the streets.” She revealed concerns about Gee’s criminal history and called for greater awareness regarding violent offenders in community settings. The family continues to honor Michael’s memory as a “very sweet, beautiful baby boy” while advocating for improved child protection measures.