A former babysitter in Hawaii has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2019 overdose death of a 7-month-old baby under her care in unlicensed military housing daycare.
Dixie Denise Villa, 46, received the sentence on Wednesday in a Hawaii state courtroom. A jury had convicted her of manslaughter in November 2023. The case centered on the death of baby Abigail Lobisch, who died on February 23, 2019, at Villa’s home-based daycare on Aliamanu Military Reservation in Honolulu.
During the sentencing hearing, the baby’s mother, Anna Lobisch, spoke about the emotional toll of her daughter’s death. “It’s been more than 2,260 days and all that time my heart has never stopped hurting,” she said, according to footage posted by Court TV. “The pain of living without Abi is a heavy weight I will carry every single day for the rest of my life.”
Lobisch described Abigail as a loving and joyful baby who “had the kindest eyes” and instantly connected with others. “I’ll never hear her call me mama,” she added.
At the time of the incident, Villa was running an unlicensed daycare from her home, despite being shut down multiple times by military base officials. She was married to an active-duty Navy member, and a divorce case between the two is still pending in Hawaii court records.
According to court documents, Abigail’s cause of death was diphenhydramine overdose. This is the active ingredient in Benadryl and other antihistamines. The baby’s blood contained 2,400 nanograms per milliliter—nearly twice the 1,400 nanograms per milliliter that is considered fatal in infants, according to a police affidavit.
Child care in military housing is strictly regulated. Providers must be certified and follow strict rules on training, inspections, and curriculum. After Abigail’s death, the Defense Department ordered a review of unauthorized daycare operations on military bases. At the time, James Stewart, then-acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, instructed officials to investigate and shut down any unlicensed providers.
Judge Fa’auuga To’oto’o, who handed down Villa’s sentence, said the medical evidence was straightforward. “The amount of Benadryl found in baby Abi’s system should never be given to any child, especially a 7-month-old infant,” he said.
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm praised the verdict and the sentence. “The family waited six years for justice,” he said. “Our keiki [children] are vulnerable, and those who harm them must be held accountable.”
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