Tuesday, July 31, 2012

In Pennsylvania, Autopsy results on baby pending | Shaken Baby Syndrome

An autopsy on a 2-month-old baby from New Brighton was reportedly completed Friday, but the cause and manner of death are still pending, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Saturday.

Melanie O. Alexander was reportedly declared brain dead Thursday and was later taken off life support. A medical examiner’s office employee could not say why the results of the autopsy were pending.

Her father, Robert M. Heibert, 28, of 1922 Fifth Ave., Suite 7, New Brighton, reportedly told New Brighton Area police that he found his daughter on a couch with blue lips then spent 15 to 30 minutes researching the Internet on how to perform CPR before calling Jessica Alexander, his girlfriend and the baby’s mother, and asking her to come home.

After doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh reportedly determined Melanie suffered from shaken baby syndrome, Heibert told   police that he had shaken her four times because she would not stop crying, once on July 19, twice on July 21 and once  more Monday.

Police said Heibert reportedly called 911 only after Alexander called him back and told him to call for help. Police said Heibert told them he went online for CPR information Tuesday because he did not want Alexander to get mad at him.

Before his daughter died, Heibert was reportedly charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of children and four counts each of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. After Melanie was declared brain dead, Beaver County District Attorney Anthony Berosh said Heibert also would be charged with homicide.

According to online court records, though, that charge had reportedly yet to be filed as of Saturday evening. Online jail records showed that Heibert was still being held Saturday in the Beaver County Jail after failing to post $50,000 bond on the original charges.

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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 Illinois, Springfield father cleared of shaking infant daughter | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Richard Britts of Springfield reportedly told the police again and again that he never harmed his then three-month-old daughter, Saniya. 

“Right now, I know all fingers are pointing at me, man, but I love my baby,” Britts told police in a January 2010 interview. “I would never hurt her like this, man.”

A jury last week reportedly found Britts not guilty on two counts of aggravated battery to a child, two years after he was arrested on suspicion of shaking his daughter. Britts found Saniya, now two years old, unresponsive and limp in her crib in 2010, and brain scans showed bleeding on Saniya’s brain, prompting charges against Britts. 

It’s the latest case reportedly calling into question “shaken baby syndrome” – a triad of symptoms that some doctors say can only be caused by violent shaking. Other doctors, however, say existing medical problems can cause the same symptoms, casting doubt on a diagnosis that has landed several people nationwide behind bars.

The case began on Jan. 3, 2010, when Britts reportedly heard Saniya let out a “nerve-rattling gasp” in her crib. Britts picked up his young daughter, finding her body limp and unresponsive, with her eyes rolled back in her head. He called his wife, Shantell Britts, and then called 911. 

“I didn’t know what to do,” Richard Britts told police in an interview. “I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking.”

Saniya reportedly underwent CAT scans at the hospital that showed bleeding around her brain, which led at least one doctor to conclude Saniya had been violently shaken. Being the last person to watch Saniya before she became unresponsive, Richard Britts was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a child. Britts told police he didn’t shake the child, and he explained that seizures run in his family, with his mother and brother both taking medication to control them.

At Britts’ trial, jurors heard testimony from doctors with opposing views about what caused Saniya’s medical condition. Dr. Channing Petrak, a pediatrician at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, testified that Saniya must have been shaken – and possibly hit – to explain the bleeding on her brain. But Dr. John Plunkett, a retired pathologist from Minnesota who studies cases involving allegations of baby shaking, testified that the child apparently suffered a seizure.

The jury last week reportedly acquitted Britt of both counts against him, and he was released from the Sangamon County Jail where he’d spent the past two years. Now, he’s trying to rebuild his life. One of his first acts was seeing his daughter, Saniya, who had no permanent medical damage from her apparent seizure.

“She’s perfect; she’s great,” Britt said in a phone interview. “She’s just peachy. It’s a blessing to be home and still standing. … It’s kind of hard to start over. I lost my job, lost my family. Some people might think I slipped through a gap, but they didn’t see all the evidence I had in my favor.”

Deborah Tuerkheimer, a law professor at DePaul University in Chicago, says she may include Britt’s case in an upcoming book examining shaken baby syndrome in the legal system. Tuerkheimer says the case shows juries are beginning to question shaken baby diagnoses. 

“It’s still pretty arbitrary how these cases are coming out,” Tuerkheimer said. “In general, we’re observing a trend toward greater skepticism.”

Lindsay Evans, an assistant public defender in the office of the Sangamon County Public Defender, reportedly represented Britts at trial. She contrasts Britts’ case with that of Jennifer Bernal, a Springfield woman convicted in January of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 2008 death of 18-month-old Anthony Joseph Romanotto. Both Petrak and Plunkett testified in that case, too, Evans said, adding that Britts’ jury questioned the shaken baby theory more intensely.

“I think the tide is turning, and I think it’s turning slowly,” Evans said.

Britts reportedly says he’s pleased that his case can offer insight into an area of medicine and law that is still developing. 

“If my case opens doors for them to understand that there can always be more than one thing that causes something,” he said, “I don’t mind being the one who informs the world of new knowledge.”  


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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


Thursday, July 26, 2012

In Kansas, Lexie’s Law raised standards for Kansas child care, officials say | Shaken Baby Syndrome


*Excerpt taken from article posted here*

Two years after the passage of Lexie’s Law — landmark legislation that tightened the regulation of Kansas child care facilities — officials say the quality and availability of child care have increased.
More importantly, they said, Kansas has turned around its once-dismal reputation and now serves as a model for other states when it comes to oversight of small family child care homes.
Five years ago, Kansas ranked 46th in the country for policies that govern child care centers. This year the state catapulted to third place in a report by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, which repeatedly cited Lexie’s Law as among the most significant changes to promote children’s health and safety.
“It’s been a team effort and it’s been a process, but honestly there hasn’t been a lot of pushback,” said Rachel Berroth, director of child care licensing for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
“Everyone knew we needed more training to better prepare our providers to protect and care for our children.”
Lexie’s Law was named for 13-month-old Lexie Engelman, who suffered fatal injuries at a Johnson County day care in 2004. Signed into law in 2010, it marked the first major change to the state’s child care standards in more than three decades.
In addition to mandating inspections of day care facilities and training for providers, the measure established a host of requirements for supervising children, including monitoring, diapering and toilet practices, safe-sleep practices and playground oversight.
It also established an online database of child care providers with information about complaints that parents can access.
Lexie’s Law did away with an entire category of day care providers – “registered” day cares, which could care for up to six children but were inspected only in response to complaints. As of February, all providers must be licensed and are inspected regularly.
The change prompted some registered providers to leave the business, Berroth said. Others opted to pursue licensure, a step that allows them to care for up to 10 children instead of six.

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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


Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2012/07/19/2417655/lexies-law-raised-standards-for.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

In Kansas, Russell daycare license suspended | Shaken Baby Syndrome


The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reportedly announced it had suspended the license of a Russell daycare provider.
The suspension, reportedly issued Thursday, affects the daycare home operated by Heather Ragene Ross.
The order reportedly cites a June 25 incident involving possible child abuse as the reason for the suspension.
"A 4-month-old infant was transported to a Wichita hospital due to injuries consistent with abuse and shaken baby syndrome," the KDHE order states. "An investigation into the cause of the injuries indicated that the injuries occurred at the licensee's day care home."
Russell Police Chief Jon Quinday reportedly said his department was notified of the incident by staff at St. Francis-Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita.
"We conducted an investigation and forwarded that information to the Russell County attorney for review," he said.
Quinday reportedly said the department also notified KDHE.
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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

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

In Virginia, Community Raises Funds for Child's Tombstone | Shaken Baby Syndrome


*This is an excerpt from an article posted here*
Car Shows For Fun from Page county hosted a car show and auction for a tombstone for a child with shaken baby syndrome in Stanley Saturday night.
People from Page County participated in the car show, Chinese auction and cake wheel. Members of the community donated cakes and prices for the event.
Brandi Flick a mother of the child remembers her daughter before the accident.
"She was happy. She was a good baby. Much better than my first. She didn't cry or nothing. She was a good baby," Flick said.
The mother of two said a babysitter shook her five-month-old in February 2011. Her baby, Alyssa, was airlifted to the University of Virginia Hospital.
"It was hard. It was heartbreaking," she said.
Flick said Alyssa spent two months at the hospital. She said the baby had a feeding tube and seizures when she returned home.
"She should have been smiling, running and laughing but she couldn't do none of that," Flick said.
Alyssa died on July 5, 2012. This Saturday's fundraiser was aimed to help for a Stem Cell therapy. However, since she passed away it is now for a tombstone.
"It wouldn't have been the last gift I expected to give to her," Flick said.
Melissa Cubbage, a volunteer with Car Shows for Fun from Page County said they help neighbors struggling.
"The last thing they need to be worried about is oh my God how am I gonna pay for this. So the little bit we can do is to help to raise money since they're in our community. They're our family, they are our friends," she said.
Cubbage said they did not have a set goal for the fundraiser.
Flick said the tombstone costs about 10,000. They hope they could raise $3,500 dollars with the event.
Felicia Anderson from Stanley is one of the community members chipping in for the cause. She said she puts herself in Flick's shoes.
" It's absolutely a great cause. I couldn't imagine having to go through it. I'm a parent of a 2-year-old myself and i couldn't imagine being here without her," Anderson said.
As of 11 p.m. on Saturday organizers said they had raised $1,500 dollars.
To Read More on this Story, or to make a donation: 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

In Michigan, Baby suffered from 'shaken baby syndrome' while at Mundy Township daycare, lawsuit alleges | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A lawsuit reportedly filed in Genesee Circuit Court claims that a Mundy Township daycare is responsible for severe injuries sustained by one of the children left in its care, despite an ongoing police investigation and a state investigation that turned up no violations.



Greg and Jennifer Henderson of Lennon are reportedly seeking more than $25,000 in damages after they claim their son received injuries consistent with “shaken baby syndrome” while at Honey Bear Child Care in December 2011.
According to a lawsuit reportedly filed by the couple’s attorney, Michael T. Ratton, the Hendersons were contacted by the daycare around 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 19, 2011, and were told that their child was unresponsive and was being transported to Hurley Medical Center.
The suit reportedly alleges that Hurley officials found no outward physical signs of trauma on the child but he did suffer multiple hemorrhages and seizures consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The parents reportedly claim in the suit that the child was in good health when he was taken to the daycare center around 6 a.m. that day. However, Jennifer Henderson said she was told by daycare workers that the child was acting extremely irritably when she called to check on the child around 8:30 a.m.
Workers reportedly told the mother they were able to calm the child down, the suit claims.
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, July 20, 2012

In Nevada, Brayden Grusman-Buckmaster Death: Michelle Bork, Edward Thompson Charged With Murder Years After Shaking Baby, Cops Say | Shaken Baby Syndrome


The mother of a deceased 5-year-old has reportedly been charged with murder because her ex-boyfriend allegedly shook the boy as an infant.
Las Vegas woman Monique Bork, 26, reportedly brought her 6-week-old son, Brayden, to the hospital with serious head trauma in August 2006, according to 8 News Now.  His brain was reportedly swollen and bleeding, and his symptoms were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
Brayden was reportedly on life support for 6 days. His injuries left him legally blind and suffering from cerebral palsy.
Police questioned both Bork and her boyfriend at the time, Edward Thompson.
Bork reportedly told police that a falling toy had hit Brayden in the head a few weeks earlier. Thompson, who is reportedly now 34, said that Bork was lying, and that really he had reportedly dropped a telephone on Brayden's face.
No arrests were made. After the incident, Brayden's maternal grandmother took custody of the boy for more than two years, before he was reportedly adopted by Tish Buckmaster and Gayle Grusman.
The boy reportedly spent most of that time in hospice care. He was reportedly fed through a gastronomy tube. 
When Brayden reportedly passed away in July 2011, at age 5, his deaths as ruled as a homicide, the result of the head trauma he sustained as a baby.
"He had no brain left from the injury," Grusman said.
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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, Man will plead to manslaughter in death of 6-month-old girl | Shaken Baby Syndrome


An Orange County man will soon plead to an aggravated manslaughter charge in the death of a 6-month-old girl, but family, friends and the victim's mother testified Wednesday that they don't believe he did anything wrong.
Lonnie Leonard Jr., 23, was charged last year in the Nov. 20, 2010, death of Malloree Tatum.
Leonard told investigators the baby fell off a bed, according to testimony. But doctors and a medical examiner say it's impossible the trauma the child suffered was caused by a fall from that height.

One doctor noted severe retinal bleeding consistent with shaken-baby syndrome — "one of the worst cases" he'd seen, an affidavit said.

The girl's mother, Tameka Tatum, said at a plea conference Wednesday she still loves Leonard.
"I actually cannot believe he did anything wrong," she said. Tatum asked the judge to sentence Leonard to probation — not prison — for the first-degree felony manslaughter charge.
Prosecutor Pam Davis asked Tatum how she believed her daughter was fatally injured.
"I honestly believe she fell off of the bed," Tatum said. Asked Davis, "and hit what?"
"I don't know," Tatum replied.
After Tatum, several other loved ones testified that Leonard would never have harmed Malloree.
"I don't feel he did this at all," testified step-mother Amy Walker-Leonard. Lonnie Leonard Sr. said his son "loved [Malloree] to death... he wouldn't hurt her."
However, Orange County homicide Det. Chris Dillon testified the baby's injuries didn't fit the younger Leonard's version of events. A 25-inch fall onto carpet, he said, could not have caused her trauma.
Leonard Jr. will plead to aggravated manslaughter of a child at a hearing on Sept. 14, according to testimony.

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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




Thursday, July 19, 2012

In Kansas, Clicks for Babies | Shaken Baby Syndrome


“Awwww” — that is what everyone says when they see a newborn baby. But when a baby cries for long periods of time and happen to be a frustrated caregiver, “Awwww” is not a word that comes to mind. Realizing that this commonly happens, along with a desire to help parents cope with a baby’s crying, is the focus behind the Period of Purple Crying campaign. Yes, this topic has been discussed before, but it really can’t be talked about enough.
A baby’s crying can often lead to a frustrated and tired parent or caregiver losing control momentarily and shaking their baby. While you might think that you would never do that, we have parents who have told us that they never thought they would shake their baby; and then they did. The video on Period of Purple Crying talks about that specifically and addresses the need for a support system for parents to rely on and to help develop coping methods.
As we wrapped up the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in April, it seemed fitting to carry on the advocacy and share about the work that goes on daily with our community health care providers, early childhood care specialists as well as those who work in the Healthy Families programs that help support families. Their work along with the advocacy to prevent child abuse is a daily task and cannot be forgotten or taken lightly.
According to Child Help (www.childhelp.org) a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States. Nationwide an average of five children die every day as a result of child abuse. Approximately 80 percent of those children who died from abuse are under the age of 4. As the stressful economic times continue, the number of abused children may grow even larger. So what is our best defense? It is education, awareness, advocacy, and support .
One of the advocacy and awareness opportunities that has been started is the Click For Babies campaign. Kansas Children’s Service League partnered with the national Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome to promote his campaign and distributes education DVD’s to families of newborns year round in participating Kansas hospitals. The purple caps will be given specifically to families in November and December of this year in a special promotion of awareness; an added reminder that crying is normal and it is NEVER okay to shake or harm an infant.
Neat idea? Yes it is. Last year, KCSL collected over 6,500 purple caps and distributed them statewide to birthing centers and hospitals in an attempt to raise awareness and decrease the number of infants being shaken or harmed due to crying. Our goal this year is 7,500 purple caps. That’s a lot of caps! How can you help? Fire up those knitting needles, crochet hooks or your trusty looms and get started! Every cap counts and is appreciated. Caps should be made using any shade of purple-colored yarn and made to fit a newborn infant’s head. Dimensions of infant heads will vary; as a guide, caps should have a circumference between 7.5 to 13.5 inches and a height of 3.5 to 6 inches. Please refrain from including “pom-poms” or any straps to secure caps to baby’s head. These pose a potential choking and or strangling hazard to babies. Caps need only to be 50 percent plus purple, so feel free to add additional colors, especially when making caps for baby boys. Designs and patterns for caps are completely up to the person making the caps, however, we have provided a few links to patterns that are available on line and some that have been shared with us by others. Visit the “Knit” page of the Clicks for Babies website (www.clickforbabies.org) and follow the links in the right margin. Last year we had several local knitting and crochet pros donate precious purple caps to us and the local KCSL office staff jumped in and knitted quite a few hats too. The Emporia office alone collected over 350 beautiful and creative hats/caps. It was a lot of fun and it was all for a very good cause.
If you would like to donate purple cap creations, please contact Bev Long at the local KCSL office, 340-0408 ext. 1001 or by calling 341-2076 to arrange free pick up. You may also bring your creations to the KCSL office at 215 W. 6th, (Emporia Humanitarian Center/former Lowther South Building), room 209. Please call first to make sure we are available to greet you and record your donation. You can also contact the project coordinator, Anne Auld, at the Wichita KCSL office by calling (877) 530-5275 ext. 1322 or emailing her at aauld@kcsl.org. All caps need to be collected by Oct. 1. The caps will then taken to the Wichita office for inventory, tagging and distribution statewide.
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

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

In Connecticut, $1M bond kept for man charged in baby's death | Shaken Baby Syndrome


A request for a bond reduction in the case of the West Haven man accused in the death of a 5-month-old Ansonia boy last summer was reportedly denied Tuesday in state Superior Court in Milford.

Angel Luis Santiago, 35, of West Haven, has reportedly been held in lieu of $1 million bond since his arrest in December. He is charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and risk of injury in connection with the death of Kyle Robinson in June 2011.

Public Defender David Egan, who reportedly represents Santiago, asked Judge Richard Arnold to reduce the bond to $250,000, the amount, Egan said, was originally set in the case.

Egan, who said Santiago has a "minimal prior record," reportedly told the judge the higher amount would be appropriate if the charge was murder, but it's not. "It's an inappropriate amount" for the Class B felony he's charged with, Egan said.

But State's Attorney Kevin Lawlor reportedly said Santiago does have "a substantial" criminal record, including drug and larceny charges in New York.


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


In Michigan, Baby suffered from 'shaken baby syndrome' while at Mundy Township daycare, lawsuit alleges | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A lawsuit reportedly filed in Genesee Circuit Court claims that a Mundy Township daycare is responsible for severe injuries sustained by one of the children left in its care, despite an ongoing police investigation and a state investigation that turned up no violations.



Greg and Jennifer Henderson of Lennon are reportedly seeking more than $25,000 in damages after they claim their son received injuries consistent with “shaken baby syndrome” while at Honey Bear Child Care in December 2011.
According to a lawsuit reportedly filed by the couple’s attorney, Michael T. Ratton, the Hendersons were contacted by the daycare around 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 19, 2011, and were told that their child was unresponsive and was being transported to Hurley Medical Center.
The suit reportedly alleges that Hurley officials found no outward physical signs of trauma on the child but he did suffer multiple hemorrhages and seizures consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

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




Monday, July 16, 2012

In Nevada, Pair charged with murder in death of 5-year-old who was disabled as a baby | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Murder charges have reportedly been filed in the 2011 death of a boy who, authorities say, was shaken violently as a 2-month-old and ultimately died from injuries sustained at that time.
A criminal complaint reportedly filed in Las Vegas Justice Court charges Monique Bork, 26, and Edward M. Thompson Jr., 32, with murder and child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm in the death of Brayden Grusman-Buckmaster.
Bork is the child’s mother, and Thompson was reportedly Bork’s boyfriend when the baby-shaking occurred, police said.
In August 2006, Bork and a friend reportedly took the young baby to Sunrise Trauma Center, where doctors diagnosed him with injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. The boy was in critical condition, and doctors told Bork the baby possibly would not survive the evening.
Bork reportedly told Metro Police in a voluntary statement at the time that her son was not acting himself but had not had any other accidents besides being hit in the head weeks previously by a falling toy.
In the intervening days, police reportedly also talked with Thompson, who said Bork was not telling the truth about the toy falling on the baby. Instead, Thompson said, he had dropped a telephone on the boy’s face.
Six days after the baby was reportedly taken to the hospital, Brayden was taken off of life-support equipment and placed in hospice care.
Meanwhile, Brayden reportedly spent 2½ years living with his maternal grandmother, then placed in foster care and ultimately was adopted. He survived for five years, police said, during which time he suffered from numerous medical problems, including blindness and cerebral palsy. He was nourished through a gastronomy tube until his death on July 10, 2011.

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, July 13, 2012

In Illinois, Edwardsville man on trial in shaken-baby case | Shaken Baby Syndrome


A southern Illinois man reportedly faces up to 60 years in prison if he is convicted of murder in the death of his daughter, who prosecutors say lived roughly a decade after being shaken so severely by her father that she lost most of her brain function.
Torrance "Tyrone" Rogers, 31, of Edwardsville, reportedly already spent roughly seven years in prison on a felony attempted aggravated battery charge related to the injuries he inflicted on infant Taylor Rogers in 1999 after she wouldn't stop crying. Left nearly blind in that attack and requiring around-the-clock care, the girl eventually died of bronchial pneumonia in 2009 at the age of 9.
Rogers, who reportedly pleaded guilty to the lesser count in 2001 and was paroled from a 15-year sentence in 2007, went on trial Tuesday in Madison County on a first-degree murder charge related to the girl's death.
A prosecutor reportedly said that based on previous Illinois court rulings, it isn't a violation of Rogers' constitutional right against double jeopardy to try him for murder after he's been convicted of a lesser crime.
Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli, who reportedly heard the case after Rogers waived his right to a jury trial, is deliberating the verdict.
Susan Jensen, a prosecutor, reportedly told the judge that Rogers admitted in the earlier case that he shook Taylor. Jensen also cited medical records, autopsy findings and determinations by the St. Louis medical examiner's office in saying Taylor's death was a homicide.
"The reason Taylor died was the injury she received at the hands of (Rogers)," Jensen said. "(Doctors) were surprised that she lived as long as she did."
Rogers' attorney, Lyndon Evanko, countered that an otherwise healthy child could have died of bronchial pneumonia as Taylor did, noting that a Cook County medical examiner who reviewed the girl's records at the defense's request questioned whether the child suffered shaken-baby syndrome.


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