In Colorado, Man arrested in infant's death: Injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A 23-year-old Pueblo man was reportedly arrested Monday night on a warrant for first-degree murder for the death of a 2-month-old girl.

Bill Anthony Martinez was reportedly arrested in Colorado Springs, according to Charlene Graham, chief of law enforcement for the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

The baby has reportedly been hospitalized at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs since Saturday when she was found not breathing in Pueblo West.

The child was reportedly taken off life support Monday and an autopsy is scheduled for today, according to Pueblo County Coroner James Kramer.

Graham reportedly said the baby had injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, including bruising and a head injury.

“We were able to determine through the investigation that he was the one taking care of the child at the time this occurred,” Graham said, adding the investigation is ongoing.

Martinez is not the baby’s father and had only reportedly been dating the victim’s 33-year-old mother for a short time.

“From what I understand, they’ve only been boyfriend-girlfriend for about 2 1⁄2 weeks,” Graham said.

Deputies were reportedly sent to the family home, located in the 700 block of South Joe Martinez Court, on a report of a child not breathing.

“A neighbor was performing CPR on the baby when we arrived,” Graham said, adding that a family member called deputies.

Martinez was reportedly at the home with his girlfriend, the baby and two older siblings, who Graham said have been placed in custody of the Department of Social Services.

Martinez will reportedly be transported to Pueblo County jail tonight, where he’ll be held without bond. Martinez has a lengthy criminal history but nothing of a violent nature.

He’s reportedly been arrested before on property crimes and for fraud, the sheriff’s office said.

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 Colorado, Family works to spread message: Never shake a baby | Shaken Baby Syndrome

Jasmine looks at her mom and flashes a huge smile.

"That always makes me happy," said Jennifer Schutz. 

Schutz reportedly chooses to focus on what her two-year-old daughter can do rather than on her limitations. There are a lot, but there should not have been any.

"It would be so hard to always think of what should be," she said. "We have to look at the little progress that she is making or our hearts will break every day."

"It is amazing that she can do anything," Susan Burke, Jasmine's grandmother, said. "The doctors said she'd do nothing and be on a feeding tube."

Jasmine is reportedly a victim of shaken baby syndrome. A moment of terrible abuse took a perfectly healthy infant and erased so much potential for her life ahead.

"When she was injured, the doctors told us she probably would not survive the week," Schutz said. 

Jasmine's father, Rocky Lee Ankney, is in jail convicted of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. Prosecutors say he injured Jasmine when she was eight weeks old.

Schutz was at work as a geriatric nurse when it happened. 

Denver police reportedly say Ankney did not call 911, but he called his wife claiming he dropped the baby as he got her out of the bathtub.

Detectives and doctors reportedly say Jasmine's injuries could not have been caused by a simple fall. Her ribs were broken. Her brain was bruised and there was bleeding on both sides of her head. She lost her vision too.

"You wouldn't think your husband would do it," Schutz said. "He quit his job to stay home with her. Nothing about it makes any sense."

Shaken baby syndrome is the leading cause of trauma death in children under two years old in Colorado. When Schutz started learning more about it, she made a promise to Jasmine to be part of the solution. In the last 2 years since the devastating injury, they have. They are now advocates against any kind of child abuse.

Jasmine can make some small noises and laugh. But, she cannot speak. Her mom and her grandma are her voice.

"It is so preventable that there is no reason it should even be an issue," Burke said. "And as big of an issue as it is, we want it to end." 

Burke says that is the family's mission now.

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

Uncle Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse After Shaking Infant Nephew | Shaken Baby Syndrome Lawyer

A man from Longmont, Colorado, could face six to ten years in prison for negligent child abuse in connection with shaking his infant nephew in 2008, according to the Colorado Daily website.  Although the 18-month-old shaken baby syndrome victim is reportedly doing well now, the baby was only 8 weeks old when he sustained multiple injuries and hematomas on the brain when his uncle, 36-year-old Troy Pierce, allegedly shook him while babysitting.   After the infant's parents expressed concern that their child was having tremors and problems with his eyes, the baby suffered from seizures at the hospital, and Pierce was arrested in March 2008.  Friday, July 24, the uncle pled guilty to the felony child abuse charge for seriously injuring the boy.

As an advocate for injured and abused children, shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane devotes his practice to representing children and only children.  If you believe that your child has been injured as a result of shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma), feel free to contact Chris Keane with your most pressing questions.  The Keane Law Firm will freely provide you with the information and resources you need to ensure that your child receives the best possible medical care and rehabilitation.  For free advice regarding your unique situation, contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

Child Permanently Blind in One Eye and Weak in One Leg, Father Receives Sentence for Shaking Baby

A young girl is now permanently blind in one eye and has limited mobility in one leg as a result of being shaken at only 28 days old by her father in Colorado, according to The Greely Tribune online.  Thursday, July 9, Christopther Dahl pled guilty to third-degree child abuse and was sentenced by a Weld District Court judge to spend six years in a community corrections facility.  Following the August 2008 incident of shaken baby syndrome, which resulted in serious injury to the infant, Dahl failed to seek immediate medical care for his daughter Nichole.  Although his estranged wife and her father requested that the judge send Dahl to prison for the maximum time he could serve, Dahl's previously clean record, an apology for his violent behavior, and his recent participation in anger management counseling and child bonding classes were presented to the judge and resulted in the sentence to a community corrections facility rather than prison.

As an advocate for injured and abused children, shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane helps parents receive the medical care, financial resources, and community assistance their children need to recover from abusive head trauma.  If you believe that your child may be suffering a similar injury, contact Chris Keane of the Keane Law Firm for free resources and answers to your most important questions.  You may contact the Keane Law Firm online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.