Shaken Baby Syndrome Blog

Monday, February 13, 2012

In Oklahoma, Jones man gets life in prison in infant daughter's death | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Jason Scott Day, a Jones man reportedly convicted of killing his infant daughter in 2009 was sentenced Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Jason Scott Day, was reportedly convicted Dec. 16 of first-degree murder in the shaking death of the 5-month-old girl.

Day, who reportedly did not speak during sentencing, will be eligible for parole in 38.3 years, prosecutors said. He was reportedly ordered to pay $1,800 to cover funeral expenses for the girl and counseling for her two siblings

Natalie Emami died at Integris Baptist Medical Center on Feb. 5, 2009, two days after suffering injuries from being shaken, police said. A doctor at the hospital reportedly told police the girl's injuries were the result of child abuse.

To Read More on this Story: Click Here

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

Friday, February 10, 2012

In Illinois, 12 years for father in shaken-baby case | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Salvador Avila was reportedly acquitted in October of first-degree murder, but found guilty by Judge Gordon Graham of aggravated battery to a child. He had faced up to 30 years.

In February 2008, 3-month-old Sophia was reportedly rushed to Mercy Harvard Hospital by Avila.
She then was flown to Rockford Memorial Hospital, where she reportedly died about two days later in her mother’s arms.

Witnesses for the prosecution reportedly testified that Sophia’s injuries, which included retinal hemorrhaging, increased intracranial pressure and brain swelling, were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Salvador Avila, was reportedly sentenced on Thursday to 12 years in prison for shaking Sophia Avila.

To read more of this story: Click Here

Thursday, February 9, 2012

February Organization Spotlight | Miranda Joy Foundation | Amy Raymond

TIPS FOR PARENTS
- If you find yourself at your breaking point with a screaming baby, put the child in a crib and walk away. "No baby has ever cried themselves to death." The parents needs to take a breath. The child will be okay."

- If your efforts at calming a child prove unsuccessful, do not be embarrassed to ask for help. "Pick up the phone call someone Walk down the block and get a friend involved."

- Be certain to have someone trustworthy watch your child if you can "Make sure they are responsible and can handle a child and informed about what to do if a child is crying" .

MIRANDA JOY'S STORY - WRITEN BY HER MOTHER AFTER LOSING HER

My family tragedy began on October 2nd it was my husband's birthday and I worked all day. My husband and my two daughters walked to my work to walk me home. It was suppose to be a normal day; we were going out to dinner that evening to celebrate my husband's birthday. As we walked home, we were talking; my 17 month old daughter (Emily) was happy as could be, and it looked as if my 4 month daughter (Miranda) was sleeping. For some reason, I felt the need to pick up my 4 month old.

As soon as I did I knew something was terribly wrong. Her body was limp, she was unresponsive, and her breathing was shallow. Of course, like any other mother, I was quite frightened and got home with her as quickly as possible. Fortunately for me, my own mother only lives two houses away. Still not being able to get any response, I whisked her over to my mom's house along with the rest of my family. My mom took one look at her we knew we had to call 911.

So I called 911, and within minutes they were there. They took Miranda in the ambulance to the hospital and I went along, still having no clue what could be wrong with her. When I left her at 7:15 that morning, she was sitting in her swing cooing and happy. We arrived at the hospital and they worked on Miranda. All the time, I was standing there with my husband, crying and trying to understand what could possibly be wrong with my beautiful baby girl. I kept asking my husband if anything happened; was she okay all day? He said she was fine that day and that nothing had happened. I was trying desperately to help the medical field with any questions they may have had to help them discover what was wrong with my once healthy baby girl.

Approximately one hour later, they decided they were going to fly her to Hershey Medical Center. My husband and I raced to meet them there, along with the rest of my family. Hours later, when the doctors came in to talk with the family, I was told my baby was bleeding from the brain. Well I was in disbelief; I was told her chances of pulling through this were very slim. The doctors left for a period of time, and I was waiting to be able to see Miranda. Some time later the doctor's came back to talk with my husband and I. They told us that this looked like a case of Shaken Baby Syndrome. I was in shock, because the only people who ever cared for our children were family members, including ourselves.

I spent the next several hours with Miranda, trying to find some other reason for her injury. The next day, a social worker and police came to talk to me and my husband. They questioned me and my husband together, then talked to each of us separately. Four hours later, my husband confessed to shaking our baby girl.

From that point on, my life took a whole new turn. I spent everyday and almost every hour by Miranda's side, praying for God to work a miracle. On Tuesday, October 5 th, we met with the doctors and were told our daughter's injuries were so severe that she would definitely die. I was told that the part of Miranda's brain that was destroyed controlled her thinking, sense of touch, eyesight, & hearing; everything that would make her quality of life whole was flushed away. And of course, with the brain dying there is no such thing as a replacement. So I was told that we had two choices; we could let her the way she was not knowing how long she would live, breathing only by machines and in a coma state; or we could take her off life support and give her to God. They said she would not make it more than 48 hours off life support, probably less.

So on Wednesday, October 6 th, I made the decision that the best thing for my once healthy, beautiful, baby girl was to take her off the life support and give her to God. So on Wednesday evening, we took her off life support. I was able to hold my baby girl then, and had somewhat of a comfort; if that is possible when you know your child is going to die, and there is not a thing you can do to stop it but put it in God's hands.

Miranda, to everyone's disbelief, lasted off life support for almost 7 days. She died in my arms on Wednesday, October 13 th, 2004 at 8 am. So I am now faced with trying to cope with the loss of Miranda, and my family being ripped apart. My husband, of course, can no longer be with us; nor do I choose to have him with us.
My husband has since been arrested for the death of Miranda. He was arrested on March 2 nd, 2005 exactly 5 months from the day Miranda's life was snipped away from her.

I have had almost nine months before writing this part of the story. I have now, through God and the great support of my family, been able to go on with life the best I can. Yes, I have good days and bad days, but just months ago I thought I would never have even a half good day. I still miss Miranda so much everyday. My whole family has been torn inside in some way or another by this. It is as if they have lost a child too. After all, Miranda was a daughter, grandchild, a niece, a sister, and most of all she was a precious child who was not given a choice as to how her life was so suddenly shortened. The only peace I have is knowing that she is an angel now with God, and I know she knows how much her mother loves her and will never stop loving her or remembering her.

So now, almost 9 months later, with my brother's strong will to get this foundation off the ground, we are starting the Miranda Joy Foundation to enable us to help with and educate about domestic violence and Shaken Baby Syndrome; to keep Miranda's name alive and to bring some sort of sanity to what has happened in our lives.

I want to thank you for visiting our website, and if you choose to help support us in our efforts, I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. No family should have to go through the death of a child and especially the deliberate death of a child. May peace and prayers be with you.

Thank you,
Amy Raymond

SUPPORT MIRANDA JOY FOUNDATION.
SHE WILL GIVE YOU MORE COURAGE THAN YOU KNOW

www.mirandajoyfoundation.org

She will tell you about our upcoming events
and all the special things she has to share with you
PLEASE GO TO FACEBOOK, JOIN AND SIGN IN TO CAUSES.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE MIRANDA JOY FOUNDATION CAUSE.
WE ASK ALL OF YOU TO JOIN THE CAUSE TO HELP US EDUCATE EVERY ONE ABOUT SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME:
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM

We would like to thank Amy for the submission of Miranda's Story and the Legacy being carried with love by her family. The courage one has, and to share insight into what one can overcome through tragedy, forever leaves an imprint in our hearts, and inspiration for all of the families to continue to move through the tragic effect of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
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

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

In Washington, Local health campaign to educate public about shaken baby syndrome | Shaken Baby Syndrome

In front of a group of fifth- through 12th-graders at Easton School Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Elise Herman and Public Health Nurse Linda Navarre explained that it's normal for babies to cry, some even for hours at a time. Endless crying can be frustrating, especially for parents who are already stressed, tired or have poor coping skills. That's why it's important to have a plan.

Herman and Navarre were at Easton School as part of a new public education campaign launched to remind and teach people about the dangers of abusive head trauma/shaken baby syndrome, or SBS. The pair plan to visit all the public school districts in Kittitas County to spread awareness.

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious head trauma inflicted when a frustrated or angry caregiver shakes a child, usually to stop them from crying. Shaking a baby can cause severe brain and spinal cord damage, blindness and death.

To Read more on this Story: Click Here

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

In Alabama, Injured Albertville baby dies | Shaken Baby Syndrome

In a recent report, deputies discovered an 11-month-old infant when responding to a home in Alabama, later identified as Moore, with serious injuries that doctors at a local hospital said were reportedly consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The child was immediately transferred to another Alabama hospital where it remained in critical condition until her death just after 5 p.m. Thursday, Walls said.

"At the present time, sheriff's investigators are working with the Marshall County District Attorney to upgrade the charges," Walls said.

"At this time, the mother and the mother's boyfriend have been arrested and are currently in the Marshall County Jail," Walls said.

"Both have been charged with aggravated child abuse."

Arrested and charged Wednesday were Bridgett Duncan, 24, of 306 Katherine Drive, and Immanuel Gage Allen, 17, of 132 Denise Circle, both of Albertville.

Both were charged initially with aggravated child abuse.

To Read More on this story: Click Here

Monday, February 6, 2012

In North Carolina, Man in Raleigh charged in murder of infant son | Shaken Baby Syndrome

In a recent report, a 28-year-old Raleigh man who tried to revive his unconscious infant son last month after the child's mother reportedly called 911 has now been charged with the boy's murder.

The child, Christopher Scott Childers Jr., reportedly died nearly two weeks after he was taken there for treatment. On Monday, police charged his father, Christopher Scott Childers Sr. of 216-B East Lenoir St., with first-degree murder.

Police think Christopher was reportedly the victim of shaken baby syndrome. On the day of the incident, police charged Childers with felony child abuse, accusing him of injuring his son's brain by "shaking the child back and forth," court records show.

To Read More on this story: Click Here

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/07/1835747/father-charged-with-murder.html#storylink=cpy

Thursday, February 2, 2012

In Florida, Murder trial begins for former Palm Harbor day care owner accused of shaking baby to death | Shaken Baby Syndrome

As the murder trial of Stephanie Spurgeon reportedly opened Tuesday, lawyers began their work by questioning dozens of people and selecting a jury.

But the key people in this case could be the doctors.

Stephanie Spurgeon, is reportedly a former Palm Harbor day care owner accused of killing a 1-year-old by shaking the girl to death.

Reportedly in August 2008, 1-year-old Maria Harris was dropped off at Spurgeon's in-home day care at 830 Edgehill Drive in Palm Harbor.

But reportedly when her mother arrived at the end of the day, Maria was unresponsive. The family reportedly called 911 and took the girl to the hospital, where she was treated for serious head injuries. She died eight days later.

Spurgeon initially was arrested on reportedly a charge of aggravated child abuse, and later was indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

To Read More on this story: Click Here

Pages