Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Adult male admits to shaking and killing baby boy| Delay in seeking treatment and evidence of prior injury| Shaken Baby Syndrome lawyer

In another tragic reported case, a 31 year old father, Ibrahim Kobayasi, reportedly pled guilty to shaking and killing his 5 month old son, Dylan Kobayasi, out of frustration. The father was watching the child while the mother worked. The father admitted to shaking the baby boy out of frustration - reportedly unemployment. Additionally, the facts of the case are significant because the father delayed - and in fact, reportedly did not seek medical treatment for the minor. Instead, the reported story is that the mother noted the child wasn't well when the father picked her up from work. The mother noticed the child was unresponsive and called 911. Autopsy reportedly confirmed that the child had evidence of prior injury (in this case, it was reported that there was evidence of rib injury). The remainder of the autopsy findings aren't reported in the paper, but it would be of interest to see what other skin or internal injuries are present. It would also be of interest to see whether the child had any previous interaction with mandated reporters (daycare centers, pediatricians, law enforcement). This tragic story ends with the father in jail for 35 years. Also, the mother has been deported to her native country and the baby is dead. It is important to use sad stories like these to learn how the same fate can be avoided for future families.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-35-years-for-man-who-killed-his-5monthold-son-20110718,0,318929.story

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) or use the web form provided on this site or the www.keanelaw.com site.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Casey Anthony verdict impacting prosecutions for shaken baby syndrome| Shaken Baby Syndrome lawsuit

The casey Anthony trial and verdict has re-focused attention on the level of crime with which prosecutors charge defendants. It has been widely-reported that the jury in the Anthony case may have had enough evidence to convict of lesser charges, but not for first degree murder. Prosecutors, being both public servants and elected politicians, are both required to not over-charge a defendant and conscious of the effect of a highly-publicized loss on their record when they run for re-election. The ripple effect from the Florida verdict in the Anthony case has made its way to Iowa - where a prosecutor has downgraded charges from capital murder to negligent homicide in the case of Suzanna Harwell and Brandel Harwell, her deceased 6 month old son. It was reported that the prosecutor considered the Casey Anthony verdict in his decision to downgrade the charges. See the story at:

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Prosecutors-lower-charges-for-Tyler-County-woman-1462849.php

The backlash and ripple effect from the Casey Anthony verdict may affect how survivors of SBS and families of fatal victims of SBS are handled by prosecutors around the country. In our practice, we have received calls for years from families who did not feel that the prosecutors were aggressively pursuing charges against the perpetrators of SBS - and this is likely to increase given prosecutors inclination to stay away from charging in cases which they are fearful they will not get a guilty verdict - regardless of whether they believe it is probable that SBS occurred. In a shaken baby syndrome civil lawsuit, not only do we have the added benefit for SBS survivors of a different and lower burden of proof than a prosecutor, and the ability to win a lawsuit on terms dictated by the survivor or family rather than the government - plus our firm's focus and familiarity with SBS gives us a comfort level with these cases that may not exist with a prosecutor who handles all types of cases (drugs, guns, etc.) If you are a family with an SBS child, and you want to see if you have a lawsuit can help your SBS survivor or family, call or contact by web Christopher Keane at info@keanelaw.com or 888-592-5437 (KIDS).

Another reported admitted account of adult shaking baby with fatal brain injuries following the shaking

Among all the studies and experts who have opinions regarding the pathophysiology and biomechanics of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma, it is important to also keep track of what the people involved in the incident report occurring. In Australia, it was recently reported that a young father admitted to shaking his 17 days old infant in an attempt to quiet her because she was crying. It was reported that he became frustrated, shook her 3-4 times before she went limp and her lips turned blue. The father, to his credit, immediately called 911 and she was taken to the hospital where it was discovered she had catastrophic brain injuries. He reportedly "snapped" and was shaking her "vigorously". He reportedly pled guilty to manslaughter.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8272026/father-jailed-for-fatally-shaking-baby

In addition to the clinical condition of a patient (BP, HR, RR, skin coloration), and whether or not the child has suffered an ALTE (apparent life threatening event), and diagnostic studies demonstrating known markers of SBS (the radiology studies demonstrating a bleed, retinal exams demonstrating retinal hemorrhage), it remains important to examine and consider what the actual eyewitnesses have to say about what occurred.

If you have questions or concerns about a child who has suffered shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma and either survived or died, feel free to contact shaken baby syndrome lawyer Christopher Keane and his firm by web contact form or toll-free 888-592-5437 (KIDS) for a free consultation.