Bristol man sentenced to prison for death of young son

A Bristol Borough man has been sentenced to state prison for the death of his four-month-old son.

Tyler Sullivan, 31, was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison by Judge Gary on Tuesday at the Bucks County Justice Center. Gilman also ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child before Gilman in May.

The charges followed incidents on May 24, 2023, when Bristol County Police responded to a report that a baby had gone into cardiac arrest in the 1000 block of Radcliffe Street.

At the scene, officers found the infant – identified as four-month-old Timothy Sullivan – unresponsive and cold to the touch.

According to court records, he was taken to Lower Bucks Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

An examination revealed that the baby suffered numerous bruises, hematomas and abrasions, indicating repeated abuse, authorities said.

The Bucks County Coroner's Office later ruled that the infant's death was a homicide due to multiple blunt force trauma.

Investigators said Sullivan violently shook his son on the day of the incident and on several previous occasions.

During the sentencing, victim impact statements from Timothy's mother and aunt were presented.

“My baby deserves a long, happy and wonderful life,” said the boy’s mother.

The baby's mother reported persistent nightmares and an inability to return to her home.

The boy's aunt described the loss the family felt.

“We will miss him forever,” she said.

In a tearful statement before the verdict, Sullivan expressed his remorse.

“There is no denying that this is a tragedy from beginning to end,” Gilman said.

The infant's death shocked the Bristol Borough community and led to a candlelight vigil to commemorate the young life lost.

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