Army Sergeant Gets 12 Years for Boiling Baby

NASHVILLE, TN – A former U.S. Army sergeant received a brutal 12-year federal prison sentence today for the agonizing neglect of his two-month-old son. Andrew J. Garasich, 29, of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, deliberately scalded the infant, leaving him with horrific burns and a fractured skull, authorities say. The case, a chilling example of parental cruelty, unfolded in Tennessee and has sparked outrage among federal investigators.

According to court documents, on December 30, 2022, while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Garasich subjected his baby to a bath of scalding water so severe that the infant’s skin began to peel from his body. The unimaginable act wasn’t immediately addressed; the baby suffered for five days without medical attention. When finally brought to Houston County Community Hospital, Garasich callously abandoned the child, leaving medical staff to recognize the gravity of the situation and air-lift the baby to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“The victim in this case was a two-month-old child who was horribly neglected by the Defendant and barely survived,” stated Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “The child is now in a loving home but will face lifelong struggles because of the Defendant’s choices. This case shows that we will not hesitate to prosecute those who hurt children and, if they are convicted, we will seek long sentences in federal prison for them.” Doctors at Vanderbilt discovered not only partial to full-thickness burns covering the baby’s buttocks, perineum, lower extremities, and left elbow, but also a left parietal skull fracture – injuries consistent with extreme abuse.

While Garasich, a former sergeant (E-5), has no prior criminal convictions, investigators uncovered a previous case with the Department of Children’s Services stemming from 2019 involving another child. This history, coupled with the sheer brutality of the current offense, fueled the prosecution’s pursuit of a lengthy prison term. “This sentencing is a result of the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our justice system to protect the most vulnerable members of our community—our children,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “There is no place in our community for those who harm children.”

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the FBI Nashville Field Office, Clarksville Resident Agency. Special Agent in Charge John McCabe of Army CID emphasized the partnership: “This case highlights the strong partnership…This sentencing reflects our dedication to justice for this young victim and sends a clear message that child abuse will not be tolerated within our ranks or in our communities.” Garasich will serve 4 years of supervised release following his 12-year sentence.

The child’s mother, Garasich’s co-defendant, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 5, 2025. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Morrison and Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire successfully prosecuted the case, securing a measure of justice for a victim who will carry the scars of this horrific abuse for the rest of his life. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the mother’s sentencing.