A Pennsylvania father's nine-year imprisonment for his infant daughter's death will end following the discovery of questionable expert testimony that led to his conviction.

According to lehighvalleylive.com, Matthew Wolfe, 40, who was serving a 20-40 year sentence for third-degree murder and child endangerment, will be released by November 9 after entering a no-contest plea. The case's reversal stems from the discredited testimony of former child abuse expert Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen.

Wolfe maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration, supported by his Pittsburgh-based defense attorney Craig Cooley. The attorney has handled Wolfe's appeal for eight years, asserting that the case should never have gone to trial.

Critical Evidence Under Intense Scrutiny

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan's review revealed significant contradictions between Esernio-Jenssen's testimony and other medical providers' findings. A forensic pathologist's third-party review disputed Esernio-Jenssen's conclusions about the timing of the infant's injuries.

The case centered around events between November 11-12, 2013, when three-month-old Quinn was found critically injured while in Wolfe's care. The infant was rushed to St. Luke's University Hospital with multiple traumatic injuries, including hemorrhages, skull fractures, and various bone breaks.

Quinn passed away on November 18, 2013, at St. Christopher's Hospital in Philadelphia, with the medical examiner ruling the death a homicide due to neurotrauma. The prosecution's case heavily relied on Esernio-Jenssen's testimony, which claimed to pinpoint the timing of fatal injuries to within three hours of Wolfe being alone with his daughter.

Expert's Credibility Faces Public Criticism

Esernio-Jenssen's reputation came under fire following a 2023 report titled "The Cost of Misdiagnosis" by Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley. The report advocated for mandatory second opinions in child abuse cases, though it didn't specifically name any medical professionals.

Dozens of parents and caregivers came forward to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners with allegations of mistreatment by Esernio-Jenssen. These public complaints led to her replacement as medical director of Lehigh County's John Van Brakle Child Advocacy Center.

The defense's expert witness never appeared in court, with only their report being read into the record. This limitation, combined with the contradictory expert testimonies, cast significant doubt on the original conviction.

Case Resolution Brings Mixed Reactions

Cristen Sanchez, Quinn's mother, expressed disappointment with the District Attorney's decision not to retry the case. She maintains her belief that Wolfe would have been found guilty even without Esernio-Jenssen's testimony.

District Attorney Holihan acknowledged the family's distress while emphasizing the necessity of pursuing justice beyond initial convictions. The case's resolution highlights the complex balance between family grief and legal obligations.

The case's conclusion leaves lingering questions about responsibility for Quinn's death, with Cooley noting that evidence was insufficient to determine culpability. This case marks a significant turning point in how expert testimony is evaluated in child abuse cases within Lehigh County's legal system.

Why this story matters

Wolfe’s case is part of a growing national conversation about wrongful convictions and the legitimacy of forensic testimony in court. It brings into focus how quickly legal outcomes can be derailed by the opinion of a single, later-discredited expert. For the Allentown community, this story serves as a reminder to continually examine our justice system’s methods—and to ensure every individual receives a fair trial. Vigilance and transparency, both from public officials and citizens, are crucial to maintaining trust in legal institutions.

Conclusion

Matthew Wolfe’s 2017 conviction for the death of his infant daughter was vacated following a review prompted by concerns over a once-prominent medical expert's credibility. The fatal incident occurred in 2013 while Wolfe was caring for 3-month-old Quinn, who later died from severe injuries. The case, built primarily on testimony from Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen, unraveled after other professionals questioned her findings and methods.

Following a no-contest plea, a judge reduced Wolfe’s sentence, making him eligible for release after serving nine years. The District Attorney reviewed the case out of growing concern for justice, resulting in one of Allentown’s most high-profile reversals in recent memory. As Wolfe prepares to regain his freedom, his case draws attention to the lasting repercussions of flawed expert evidence and the role prosecutors play in maintaining the integrity of convictions.