DELAWARE — A former emergency room physician was sentened to 36 years and 4 months Friday for causing the death of a mother and her unborn baby. According to the Delaware County Prosecutor’s office, Ali Salim was sentenced for the rape and eath of 23-year old Deanna Ballman and the death of her unborn daughter.
First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Rohrer said, “The deaths of Deanna and baby Mabel are senseless, we offer our deepest sympathy for the Ballman family.”
In court, Rohrer asked for maximum consecutive sentences for all offenses.
“It is our job as prosecutors to seek justice for the victims and the citizens of Delaware County.” Rohrer said. “But nothing the criminal justice system does will ever bring closure to their family and friends.”
Salim, a former emergency room doctor, entered a guilty plea on Oct. 24, 2013, to the involuntary manslaughter of Deanna Ballman – a first-degree felony, the involuntary manslaughter of Mabel (Ballman’s unborn daughter) – a first-degree felony, the rape of Deanna Ballman – a first-degree felony, tampering with evidence – a third-degree felony, and the abuse of a corpse – a fifth-degree felony.
Following his plea, Salim, 44, returned to his New Albany home, still on his original $1,000,000.00 bond. Salim’s bond was revoked on November 7, 2013. Since then, he has been incarcerated in the Delaware County Jail. After his sentencing, Salim will be transported to an Ohio prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. He is subject to deportation following the completion of his sentence.
Salim was indicted Feb. 20, 2013, after the bodies Deanna Ballman and her unborn baby were found in her vehicle in Harlem Township, Delaware County. Ms. Ballman, a Licking County resident, was nine-months pregnant at the time.
