In Florida, Mother describes son's brain damage | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Leann Rodriguez reportedly found the strength Wednesday to calmly tell jurors about finding her baby nearly four years ago with limp limbs, gasping for air in the lap of his father.

But her 911 call on Sept. 30, 2008, reportedly revealed the horror of giving her then-2-month-old son, Lukuz, CPR in a desperate attempt to get him breathing. Prosecutors played Rodriguez's call as part of an effort to prove Jonathan Gelb had earlier shaken his son, causing his brain to bleed and breaking bones in his leg.

Reportedly left with serious brain damage, Lukuz, now 3, cannot see, eat without a tube, walk or talk. Gelb, 28, is reportedly on trial this week on a charge of aggravated child abuse. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison. The trial is expected to last two more days.

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com

In Ohio, Jury Finds Man Guilty in Death of Girlfriend's Baby | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A 27-year old south Fairmount man, whose nickname is "Life," was reportedly spared the death penalty today by a Hamilton County jury.  However, Loinell Dangerfield was still found guilty of murdering his girlfriend's three month old baby.

Local 12 News reporter Jeff Hirsh was reportedly at the courthouse when the verdict came in.  It only took the jury five and a half hours over two days to find Dangerfield not guilty of aggravated murder, but guilty of murder in the beating death of 3-month-old Zhimera Binford.

Dangerfield reportedly never took the witness stand. In fact, the defense called no witnesses at all. But, after the verdict, when given the chance to make a statement, Dangerfield was unapologetic, insisting he was convicted based on "false facts." Dangerfield says, "I refuse to apologize for something I didn't do."

But, Judge Ralph Winkler said he agreed with the jury.  Winkler says, "I was here for the whole trial. The evidence of his guilt on the murder and the felonious assault was overwhelming."

The prosecution literally pounded home the reported brutal nature of Binford's death, blunt force trauma, mentioned in both opening statements and closing arguments. Assistant Prosecutor Katie Pridemore says, "He lacerated her liver. He fractured her skull, and he beat her at least six times on a hard surface over and over and over again, until that baby ended up dying."

Assistant Prosecutor Katie Burroughs reportedly says, "Everybody has embedded in their mind the concept of shaken baby syndrome, and what we were trying to show to them, that as so much more than just shaken baby syndrome, the classic terminology of shaking your child."


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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com

In Florida, Pasco shaken baby trial begins with mother testifying against the child's father | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Even before baby Lukuz Gelb was born, his mother already reportedly nicknamed him Lucky.  She says he was the perfect little boy. 

But in September 2008, when Lukuz was just two months old, Leann Rodriguez reportedly came home to where she lived in Port Richey and found her son wasn't breathing.  Doctors told her the boy had severe brain injuries and broken bones in his legs.  

"Worst case of shaken baby syndrome that they've seen in the state of Florida," Rodriguez was told. 

Authorities reportedly soon arrested the man they say is responsible for hurting Lukuz.  It wasn't a baby sitter or daycare worker --but the boy's own father, Jonathan Gelb.

Wednesday morning at the Pasco County courthouse in New Port Richey, testimony began in Gelb's trial.  He is reportedly charged with aggravated child abuse.

The child was in the courtroom, but he was taken home before the trial started. It's likely the jury will not see him in person.

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com

In Virginia, Former Helena Resident Apprehended for Child Abuse | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A former Helena resident reportedly faces felony child endangerment and child neglect charges for allegedly shaking a baby girl.

The girl's mother reportedly tells a local news station John Robert LaRue was extradited to Lynchburg, Virginia Wednesday.

Authorities apprehended LaRue in Pennsylvania after police stopped his vehicle for allegedly changing lanes without using a turn signal last week.

LaRue is reportedly accused of severely injuring then sixteen-month-old Juliana Thaxton while he was babysitting her in 2010.

An MRI revealed that Juliana reportedly suffered from Shaken Baby Syndrome. Juliana’s mother Joleen tells ABC 5 Juliana is unable to walk, talk or see as a result of the trauma LaRue allegedly inflicted and eats from a feeding tube.

Joleen hasn't been able to reportedly come forward until now and says even though an arrest will do nothing for her daughter's future she says it’s her calling to make parents aware and protect children.

“John LaRue’s arrest does not heal Juliana and the punishment will never fit this type of heinous crime so we’re trying now to move on and not focus on Mr. LaRue anymore and now we can move forward and prevent this from happening to other children hopefully and let the system deal with him and hopefully hold him accountable for the things he has done,” says Juliana’s mother Joleen.

LaRue reportedly faces up to 30 years in prison. Thaxton wants to reach parents, pediatricians and the public so they are made aware of the symptoms of child abuse. 

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com

In Kansas, Wichita baby hospitalized, shaken baby syndrome suspected | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A 4-month-old Wichita baby is reportedly in the hospital with bleeding on the brain.  Authorities say the injuries are consistent with shaken baby syndrome.  The baby is in serious but stable condition.

Lt. Jeff Weible with the Exploited and Missing Children's Unit reportedly says the case is under investigation.  He says the baby was taken to the hospital Sunday morning.  He says the parents reported the baby had fallen off of a bed.  During the examination, doctors found brain bleeding consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

The parents were reportedly taken in for questioning and the baby was taken into protective custody. No arrests have been made.

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com

In Alaska, Detective testifies in hearing against accused murderer | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Four-month-old Rian Orr reportedly woke up “fine and happy” for her early morning feeding on Aug. 9, 2010, according to the testimony of the lead Juneau police detective who investigated the infant’s death.

It was only after David J. Paul reportedly took the baby to the bathroom to make her a bottle, where he later admitted accidently dropping her on her head and shaking her, that Orr started to become fussy, said Det. Kim Horn.

“Jackie said the baby woke up fine and happy, and then David took the baby to the bathroom to make a bottle, and then had come back to change the diaper and the baby had been fussy from that point on,” Horn said from the stand.

She reportedly wouldn’t feed during her 9 a.m. feeding. She then began tensing up, then seizing. She was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital around 11 a.m. and died a week later at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center on Aug. 15.

Horn was reportedly once again called into Juneau Superior Court on Thursday to testify in the murder case against 23-year-old David Paul, who is accused of killing girlfriend Jacqueline M. Orr’s baby.

The King County Medical State Examiner in Seattle ruled Orr’s death a homicide from blunt force injury, with a soft object to the head. Doctors also found older injuries (multiple rib fractures, a femur fracture and bruising on her chest).

Prosecutors reportedly argue Paul caused the head injury by either dropping the baby, or by shaking her, and the bruises from gripping her too tightly.

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com

In Nevada, Local Family Raises Awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome | Shaken Baby Syndrome

 It’s Mother’s Day weekend, but instead of relaxing one local mother is working to help families who are facing the challenges of shaken baby syndrome.

Aiden Jacot laughs like any normal child, but two years ago today he was shaken by a babysitter. His father, Robert, was called to pick him up from daycare.

“I saw him sitting there on the floor, just lethargic and helpless,” Robert Jacot said. “I ran over to him and fell to my knees, and I knew right away something was terribly wrong with him.”

Aiden’s mother Bonnie reportedly said she was totally devastated. “I couldn't even comprehend how someone could do such a thing,” she said. “I still can't comprehend how somebody could do that.”

Aiden reportedly turns three this summer, but because of his traumatic brain injury he’s different from other three-year-olds. 

“He's incapable of taking care of himself,” Robert said. “We have to feed him through a g-tube in his belly button. We have to make sure that he's turned, and he has therapy every day.“

Aiden is also reportedly blind and still wears a diaper, but instead of focusing on the negative, the Jacots are using their experience to help other families facing shaken baby syndrome.

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com