Parents Charged in Shaken Baby Death of 4-Month-Old Child | Wrongful Death Lawyer

Parents of a 4-month-old baby who died of shaken baby syndrome in 2007 are facing the courts in connection with the fatal incident of child abuse, according to the Clarion Ledger.   Judge Tomie Green believes that both parents, who live in Jackson, Mississippi, are guilty of child neglect and abuse that occurred on multiple occasions.  Monday, July 27, father Christopher Brown Sr., age 28, told Judge Green that the baby's injuries occurred when he was throwing the child into the air and the infant accidentally landed on the floor.  Brown claims that he shook his son because the child appeared to be in a daze.  At Monday's sentencing, a forensic pathologist testified that the baby's death resulted from shaken baby syndrome, despite Brown's story.  According to the autopsy, little Brown Jr. had suffered previous injuries, as well, for which the couple said they did not seek medical treatment because they were afraid they'd lose the child, even though they claimed the injuries resulted from an accident.  As a result, Brown Sr. was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but the judge suspended 20 of them since he believes the father was not solely responsible for the baby's fatality.  Amanda Kersh, the infant's mother, has been charged with felony child neglect and is scheduled to enter a plea on August 3rd.

As an experienced shaken baby syndrome and child wrongful death lawyer, Chris Keane is familiar with the indescribable trauma experienced after losing a child, and he expresses his deepest sympathies to the relatives who are mourning the wrongful death of this infant.  Although nothing can compensate for the tragic loss of a baby, certain measures can be taken to help families of shaken babies.  If you would like to know more about how the Keane Law Firm can assist you in your recovery, feel free to contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Link:

Clarion Ledger:  10-Year Sentence Given

DVD To Parents of Newborns: Excessive Crying is Normal (Video Aims to Minimize Cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome)

Newborn babies may cry up to 5 hours per day for no apparent reason, and caregivers must understand how to handle babies gently while dealing with their own frustrations.  That's what parents of newborns in Kansas are learning through a new video that attempts to prevent more cases of the devastating but frequently occurring shaken baby syndrome.  In response to numerous recent deaths caused by child abuse in Wichita, city officials announced the "Period of PURPLE Crying" initiative on Thursday, May 7:  a program intended to help parents understand and cope with what seems like chronic crying from newborn babies.  Effective June 1, parents of babies born at Wichita hospitals will be required to watch a DVD about how often, how much, and why babies cry as well as how to handle the frustration associated with the phenomenon.  They will receive a copy of the DVD to take home, along with a booklet titled, "Did You Know Your Baby Would Cry Like This?," both created by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The video aims to make two things apparent:  excessive crying is normal for newborns, and it is okay for parents to put down a crying baby for a few minutes in order to calm their own nerves.  The word "PURPLE" is used to remind parents what is normal:  a Peak in crying (babies may cry more over time until peaking at about 2 months of age), Unexpected tears (babies may cry for no apparent reason), Resistance to attempts to soothe or comfort the newborn, an appearance of Pain (even though the baby may not be in pain), Long-lasting periods of crying (up to 5 hours per day), and a tendency for more tears in the Evening.

Crying can lead to shaken baby syndrome if a caregiver does not understand the dangers of shaking a baby.  If you believe that your baby may be suffering from shaken baby syndrome, feel free to call the Keane Law Firm with any questions you may have.  Child injury attorney Chris Keane of San Francisco, CA, will answer all of your questions for free with compassion and professionalism.  1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).