In Michigan, Disabled child’s family worried about lost services | Shaken Baby Syndrome

When he was six weeks old, Ben Zentz was reportedly the victim of “shaken baby syndrome,” leaving him with severe lifelong disabilities.

Though he will reportedly turn 9 years old on Aug. 16, his cognitive age is about 12 months.

He reportedly needs constant care, and as a result of being shaken to the point his skull was fractured, Ben has cerebral palsy, is blind and has a seizure disorder, said his adoptive mother, Debi Zentz. Debi and her husband, Phil, of Shelby Township adopted Ben when he was two.

Many people with disabilities reportedly fear they might lose services because of proposed Medicaid cuts under an austere plan by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Ryan just was named as vice presidential candidate by Mitt Romney.

The Michigan Department of Community Mental Health reportedly lost $37 million in funding, according to a June 14, 2010 news release, but since has had a 4.2 percent appropriations gain of $49.6 million to lift the budget to $1.2 billion.

Federal funds reportedly provide money for CMH budgets in Michigan through Medicaid. Ben receives medical care under Children’s Special Healthcare, funded by CMH.

The Zentzes worry Ben reportedly will lose any gains he has made because Macomb County Community Mental Health basically has eliminated most of his therapies.

In a July 30, 2012 letter to the Zentz family, Tracy Dunton of MCCMH reportedly wrote: “Medical necessity for these services (to Ben) above what the school could provide has yet to be determined.”

Debi reportedly said Ben’s occupational and speech therapy were terminated at the end of April and they fear  his physical therapy also will be cut.

She reportedly notes, however, Ben is unable to go to school because of his multiple disabilities so the basis for denial of what a school can provide is not valid.

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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 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.

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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 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

In Michigan, Burton man competent to stand trial for shaking, injuring 'miracle baby' | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A 19-year-old Burton man has reportedly been found competent to stand trial after authorities say he severely injured a 14-month-old child by shaking him.


Zachary J. Robinett is reportedly charged with first-degree child abuse after the baby suffered numerous bruises to head and body, a skull fracture and bleeding in the brain.

He was reportedly ruled competent to stand trial Tuesday in Genesee District Court.

Court records reportedly show that an intention to assert an insanity defense has also been filed in the case.

The baby was reportedly found unresponsive after police were called to a home on Chicory Lane near Meadowcroft Drive on Feb. 11 in Burton. The baby was taken to a local hospital.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said previously that Robinett was left alone with the baby after the child's mother went to work. It appears to be a case of shaken baby syndrome, the prosecutor added.

"Doctors are referring to him as a miracle baby," said Leyton. "At first, they weren't sure he was even going to live."

Robinett is reportedly scheduled to be back in court June 12 for a preliminary exam.

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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