Virginia jury hears both sides of shaken baby syndrome debate - decides in favor shaken baby syndrome in Noah Whitmer case - Keane Law Firm raises awareness of shaken baby syndrome and its effects on families

In January, a Virginia jury which reportedly heard both sides of the shaken baby syndrome debate convicted a daycare provider of felony child abuse and child cruelty for injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome suffered by Noah Whitmer.  The jury then sentenced the daycare provider to ten (10) years in prison.  It is reported that the daycare provider will appeal.

Whether the appeal is successful or not, tragically, for Noah, the injuries which he has suffered will last a lifetime.   Shaken Baby Syndrome can and does cause irreversible brain damage.  In ten (10) years, the brain damage will not be gone, it will remain.  Shaken Baby Syndrome not only damages babies, it destroys lives - especially that of the family who must care for the shaken baby for the remainder of his or her life.  To read more about shaken baby syndrome and how it has affected one little boy and his family, go to www.noahsroad.com

As an advocate for injured and abused children, The Keane Law Firm supports the prevention of shaken baby syndrome.  If you need more information for a baby who has been shaken and who may be suffering from abusive head trauma, feel free to contact lawyer Chris Keane with any questions you may have.  The Keane Law Firm will provide you with free information and will help you acquire the resources your child needs to reach maximum recovery.  Contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Teacher Awarded Grant to Purchase Shaken Baby Syndrome Simulator Doll

Thanks to a grant program established in her area, a high school teacher in Texas will be able to purchase a life-size doll that simulates the effects of shaken baby syndrome on a child's brain, according to the Times Record News.  Named the IDEA grant, the prize is awarded to 21 teachers at nine different campuses in the Wichita Falls Independent School District who have the best ideas for a creative classroom project or need.  Award recipients receive money to carry out creative project ideas or purchase the requested supplies for their classes.  The winning teachers not only receive a check to fund their ideas, but also a balloon bouquet and a sign to post outside their classroom that announces their win.

The importance of this teacher's project idea is key:  to illustrate the devastating (and even surprising) effects even minor shaking can have on a baby's brain.  If you would like more information on shaken baby syndrome or how it affects young children, feel free to contact abusive head trauma attorney Chris Keane.  As an advocate for injured and abused children, he will answer all your questions for free with compassion and professionalism.  1-888-592-KIDS.

Parents Charged After Shaken Baby Death of Infant Daughter, Evidence of Abuse in Autopsy Report

Following the death of their infant daughter, Oklahoma parents Willis Joey Lambert Jr. and Latrice Sharron Russell have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with shaking and fatally injuring the child, according to the News OK website.  The siblings of the shaken baby reported to investigators that Lambert was frustrated with his own difficultly learning how to hold the infant girl, and he confessed that he fatally shook the baby because he could not get her dressed after bath time.  According to an autopsy report, the infant died of a brain injury and had previously suffered five broken ribs.  Since Lambert was reportedly a known child abuser, Russell has been charged with failing to protect her daughter from him.

Wrongful death from shaken baby syndrome is something no child should have to suffer, and no caregiver or family member should have to live with the burden that a child’s fatal injuries may have been prevented.  As an advocate for families who have lost children due to shaken baby syndrome and other cases of injury or abuse, Chris Keane is familiar with the indescribable pain and suffering experienced after tragedy, and he expresses his deepest sympathies to the family of the young victim in this incident.  For free resources, information, and answers to any questions regarding wrongful death or shaken baby syndrome, feel free to contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS.

Treatment for Shaken Baby Syndrome | CA Abusive Head Trauma Attorney

Although treatment for shaken baby syndrome varies depending on the specific situation and other factors, including the age of the child and the extent and type of injuries involved, some of the immediate treatments are relatively common among shaken baby syndrome victims.  An infant or child who has been shaken should be taken and admitted to a hospital as soon as possible, where doctors will closely observe, monitor, and treat the baby.  If physicians see signs of brain swelling and breathing problems, they will send the baby to the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory support (in the form of oxygen therapy or a ventilator), since such problems may lead to a stroke or dead brain cells.  Sometimes a shaken baby may need to undergo surgery to treat brain swelling and internal bleeding.  In many instances, doctors may need to drain the blood around the brain to prevent future brain damage.

In addition to the use of a breathing machine or surgery, medicine may be prescribed to prevent seizures and decrease brain swelling.  If necessary, doctors may place shunts where appropriate to move fluid from certain parts of the body.  If your child's brain injuries are severe or life-threatening, he or she may require more time in the hospital for treatment.  An IV (short for intravenous fluids) may be required to keep body fluids and salts under control, or a tube for emptying or feeding the stomach may be needed.

Upon evaluation of the degree of injury or other injuries sustained, doctors may administer other treatment to the shaken baby.  To diagnose head injuries more definitively, doctors may call for brain scans (like MRIs and CTs) or extensive evaluations of the eyes and brain.  Other injuries from the abuse are evaluated and treated, as well, such as broken bones, cuts, or seizures.

The few treatments described here (not a comprehensive list) reveal just how serious shaken baby syndrome is.  If you believe your child has been shaken or you have any questions regarding abusive head trauma, seek immediate medical attention, and feel free to contact shaken baby syndrome attorney Chris Keane for helpful resources in your time of need.  Contact Chris Keane via the web or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Links/ Resources:

Keane Law Firm | What Kind of Treatment is Common After Shaken Baby Syndrome?

PDR Health |  How is Shaken Baby Syndrome Treated?

WebMD |  Shaken Baby Syndrome:  Treatment Overview

Medicine Net | What are the Treatments for Shaken Baby Syndrome?

NINDS | Is There Any Treatment?

Licensed Day Care Provider Charged for Shaken Baby Death

A day care provider from Talbot County, Maryland, has been arrested in connection with the shaken baby death of a nine-month old boy she cared for in her home, according to the WBOC 16 news website.  Police say that 911 received a call from Gail Dobson, 52, on September 2, who requested an ambulance and stated that the baby was experiencing difficulty breathing.  When paramedics arrived, baby Trevor Ulrich, 9 months old, was in full cardiac arrest.  Despite efforts from two hospitals, Little Trevor was pronounced dead at a children's hospital the next day.  According to the autopsy, the child died of inflicted head trauma, an injury caused by shaken baby syndrome, and the death was ruled a homicide.  Upon investigation and review of medical evidence, authorities determined that Trevor sustained his fatal injuries while under Dobson's care.  As a result, Dobson has been charged with manslaughter, several counts of child abuse, assault, and reckless endangerment.  She is currently being held on a $750,000 bond in Maryland's Talbot County Detention Center.

Dobson was a licensed day care provider who only watched baby Trevor for two days, yet she allegedly inflicted trauma on the child's head, causing a fatal case of shaken baby syndrome.

As a shaken baby syndrome attorney and father of two, Chris Keane expresses his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of baby Trevor.  Although nothing can compensate for the tragic and indescribably difficult loss of a child, certain measures can be taken to help surviving family members as they go through the grieving process.  For more information on shaken baby syndrome, wrongful death, and how you can receive free help during your time of need, contact Chris Keane of the Keane Law Firm.

You may contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

Relevant Link:

Talbot County Day Care Provider Charged in Infant's Death

Rural Areas May See More Cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome, Says Child Abuse Prevention Expert

We have posted news here on the Shaken Baby Syndrome Blog about the link between economic troubles and increased instances of shaken baby syndrome.  According to child abuse prevention expert Leah Wohlsdorf, there is also a strong correlation between rural areas and cases of shaken baby abuse, also called abusive head trauma due to the extensive amount of trauma to the head that occurs when a baby is shaken.  As the executive director of Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota, Wholsdorf reported to The Bismark Tribune that situations in rural areas can lead to an escalation in instances of abusive head trauma.  According to the Tribune, the correlation exists because isolation, which often occurs when people live great distances from each other and houses are miles apart, can lead to increased stress and, as a result, abuse during frustrating times.  It can also become more difficult to stay calm when a baby cries if there is no one else around to help or give a break to the primary caregiver.

No matter the cause of shaken baby syndrome, the condition is not to be taken lightly.  If you believe that your child or a child you know may be suffering from abusive head trauma, feel free to contact child injury attorney Chris Keane with your most pressing questions and concerns.  As an experienced shaken baby syndrome lawyer who works with the best medical experts in the field on a regular basis, he will answer your questions for free with compassion and professionalism.  For free resources, information on how you may pursue a case even if the caregiver did not intentionally harm your baby, or advice concerning your unique situation, contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Link:

Prevent Child Abuse N.D. offers advice

Family Skills Center Joins Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Effort, Provides Tips for Parents

Birmingham, Alabama's Exchange Club Family Skills Center has joined the abusive head trauma prevention effort, according to the CBS 42 news website.  The center partnered with other agencies in a child safety fair that included a display demonstrating the trauma that occurs in child's brain when it is shaken.  The shaken baby simulator is a doll with a clear skull so that viewers can see different parts of the doll's brain light up when shaking occurs.  The light highlights an area that suffers damage from the shaking.  What surprises many viewers is how quickly and easily the baby's brain is damaged; within three seconds, the baby may suffer damage to its eyesight, ability to feel normal emotions, or even fatal damage.  In order to help those who don't know what to do when their babies cry excessively, the center lists these tips (adapted here):

1. Rock or bounce your child gently in a steady motion, stand with your baby in front of a mirror, or walk around the room with him or her.

2. Use a noisemaker, such as a vacuum, ceiling fan, or running water, to tune out unwanted noises.

3. Put your child in a bouncy seat or take your baby for a ride in the stroller or car.

4. Sing or play soothing music for your child.

5. Massage your child on the head or forehead to soothe them.

6. If you feel as if nothing works and you've tried it all, understand that some babies (over 3 months old) need to cry for a while before they wear themselves out.  Let them cry if you know they are okay, and stay calm.

For more information on abusive head trauma or free answers to questions regarding your unique situation, contact Chris Keane online or at 888-592-KIDS.

Prevent Child Abuse Organization Receives Grant for Simulator Dolls Aimed at Shaken Baby Prevention

In the midst of economic troubles, organizations in Georgia are thankful to be the recipients of grants from the Coweta Community Foundation, some of which will help in shaken baby syndrome prevention, according to the Times-Herald online.  The mission of the foundation is to provide grants to a variety of causes that will better the quality of life for local residents.  Among those charitable causes is shaken baby syndrome (also called abusive head trauma) prevention.  Specifically, Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Coweta was given $1,000 to purchase three dolls that simulate how abusive head trauma affects a child's brain.  The simulator dolls will be placed in three separate Coweta County high schools in an effort to educate students and the local community on the serious dangers of baby shaking.  Grant money to the organization has already aided in the purchase of educational DVDs aimed at shaken baby prevention, as well.

Not only is it helpful for organizations to receive grants like this in the midst of difficult economic times for financial reasons, but also for a bigger reason:  since economic crisis leads to a significant rise in incidents of child abuse, it is more important than ever to aid in abusive head trauma prevention.  If you feel that this economy has led someone to neglect or abuse your child, contact Chris Keane for free answers to all of your questions and help recovering financial compensation for the care and rehabilitation that your child needs.  If you have any questions for a child injury and shaken baby syndrome lawyer who works as an advocate for injured and abused children, contact the Keane Law Firm so we can help you help your child.  1-888-592-KIDS.  (1-888-592-5437).

7-Week Old Taken to Hospital After Suffering Head Trauma, Parents Arrested

A 7-week-old baby was found to have injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma) after she was taken to a Wichita hospital with head trauma, according to The Wichita Eagle online.  The young girl was taken to the medical center on September 16, and her mother and father, ages 21 and 26, respectively, were arrested on suspicion of shaking the infant.  As her parents face charges of child abuse, the child is in protective custody, according to police.

As an advocate for children who have suffered serious or fatal injuries as a result of abusive head trauma, attorney Chris Keane has been working with the experts on the subject for over fifteen years, and he hopes for the fast, full recovery of this baby.  If you have questions regarding shaken baby syndrome or believe that your child may be suffering from the injury, feel free to contact Chris Keane for free resources, helpful information, and answers regarding your specific situation.

Click here to contact Chris Keane via the web or call 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

Relevant Link:

Parents of injured 7-week-old girl arrested

Three Years After Shaken Baby Death of Twin Sister, California Boy Allegedly Shaken by Teacher

A California couple has filed a claim for an alleged shaking of their 4-year-old son, the twin brother of a little girl who died after an alleged incident of shaken baby syndrome by a nanny three years ago, according to ABC's News10 website.  According to the article, Scott and Lorena Juceam claim that a teacher shook and abused their son Benjamin during a special education program last May.  Benjamin, who has been diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, was verbally abused, shaken, and thrown into a chair on multiple occasions in front of two teacher assistants, claims Scott, who also says that he and his wife found out about the abuse only after Child Protective Services had been called by another educator.  Making it especially difficult for the Juceams, the Placer County District Attorney's Office decided against pressing charges.

As a shaken baby syndrome and child injury lawyer, Chris Keane devotes his practice to representing injured and abused children, and he hopes for the full and fast recovery of young Benjamin in this incident.  If you have questions for a legal advocate for injured children or have already pursued a claim that failed to go to trial, feel free to contact Chris Keane at the Keane Law Firm.  He will provide you with the resources your child needs and consult with you for free regarding your options and unique situation.  1-888-592-KIDS.

New Study Finds That Many People Guilty of Child Abuse Get "Off the Hook" in Court | Shaken Baby Syndrome Attorney

A new study has found that many people charged with child abuse for shaking babies and causing serious head injuries to children are "let off the hook" in court, according to MedIndia online.  The article reports that Dr. Amanda Stephens examined the cases of 68 children who received treatment for shaken baby syndrome in the child protection unit at Sydney's Children's Hospital at Westmead.  Upon examination of these cases, which occurred between 1997 and 2005, Dr. Stephens concluded that perpetrators are often "let off" due to the difficulty of identifying them.  In her own words, "if you don't know who did it" and cannot "make that decision," it can be extremely difficult to determine "whether that child should be returned to the family" or removed from the family.

Shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma) cases can be extremely complicated, requiring the expertise of an experienced child abuse and shaken baby syndrome lawyer.  There are unique focuses of child injury and abuse attorney Chris Keane that affect his success in shaken baby syndrome cases:  first of all, he focuses his practice on representing children and only children in cases such as this (enabling him to work with the best medical experts in the field).  Second, he represents injured children in civil cases of abuse or shaken baby syndrome, meaning that it is not necessary to prove that someone intentionally injured or shook a baby, but simply that they failed to care properly for the child.

If you have questions regarding a shaken baby syndrome incident, feel free to contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS, and he will consult with you for free regarding your specific situation and concerns.

Relevant Link:

Study Finds Low Prosecution Rates for Shaken Baby Cases

Two-Year-Old Girl Suffers Brain Damage & Partial Blindness From 2007 Shaken Baby Incident

A 29-year-old man whose daughter suffers brain damage and partial blindness from a 2007 shaken baby syndrome incident was recently sentenced to eight years in prison, according to the Vindy website.  The site reports that Jeremy Hendrex was living with the girl's mother at the time of the incident, when the baby was only 10-weeks-old.  His daughter is now 2 years of age, but suffers permanent damage.

The symptoms and effects of shaken baby syndrome (also called abusive head trauma) are serious and can result in permanent or even fatal injuries.  If you believe that your child may be suffering from abusive head trauma, seek medical care for your child immediately.  Symptoms are not always evident at first, so do not wait for them to manifest before taking action.

If you have questions regarding shaken baby syndrome, contact child injury lawyer Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS.

Mother of Shaken Baby Questioned, Stepfather Believed to Have Been Arrested

The mother of a baby boy who was allegedly shaken by a stepfather or another caregiver is being investigated by the Department of Children and Families, according to the News-Press website.  Although the mother was not the one arrested in connection with the serious head injury suffered by the 8-month-old boy, she is being questioned about the incident of shaken baby syndrome.

As a shaken baby syndrome and child injury lawyer, Chris Keane devotes his practice to representing injured and abused children, and he hopes for the full and fast recovery of the baby in this incident.  If you have questions for a legal advocate for injured children, feel free to contact Chris Keane at the Keane Law Firm.  He will provide you with the resources your child needs and consult with you for free regarding your unique situation.  1-888-592-KIDS.

Long-Term Disabilities From Abusive Head Trauma

In order to inform those who would like to know more about shaken baby syndrome, child injury lawyer Christopher Keane of San Francisco, California, explains in a video how abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome) can cause long term disabilities.  Many parents of shaken baby survivors do not know that their child's symptoms may change over the course of several years from the incident, especially as the child reaches an age in which higher functioning skills are expected.  Although learning disabilities and physical limitations are common in victims of shaken baby syndrome, rehabilitative treatment can help children overcome such limitations to various degrees.

To watch Chris Keane's video on long-term disabilities from shaken baby syndrome, click here.

If you believe that your baby may have suffered abusive head trauma, the Keane Law Firm will answer your most pressing questions for free and consult with you regarding your unique case.  Feel free to call us if you would like to know more about the condition itself, the process of filing a child injury claim, or what we can do to help your baby receive proper care.  1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

Baby Dies From Abusive Head Trauma Before Even Two Months Old | CA Child Wrongful Death Lawyer

Just shy of two months old, Camarah Fisher was transported to a local hospital when EMS responders discovered that she was having trouble breathing in her home on August 22 of this year.  After being taken to a second hospital that specializes in treating children, the infant reportedly died of abusive head trauma.  To read more about the shaken baby cases of baby Camarah and other infants, click here.

If you have lost a child due to shaken baby syndrome, child abuse and child injury attorney Chris Keane can help you connect with other families and organizations that can help you through the coping process.  If you believe that your child may be suffering from shaken baby syndrome, the Keane Law Firm can help you find the medical care your child needs to diagnose and treat his or her injuries.  For free answers to any questions you may have regarding shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma), wrongful death, or helpful programs for victims of child abuse, contact Chris Keane in an online form or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Link:

Infant Death Being Investigated in Center Point

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.

Emergency Room Worker Speaks to News Channel After Father Receives Life Sentence in Shaken Baby Case | CA Child Injury Lawyer

A Colorado emergency room worker recently spoke to News Channel 13 regarding the channel's report on the conviction of the father of a shaken baby.  According to the channel's website, Pueblo, CO, resident Jeff Casias received a life sentence for the wrongful death of his daughter, Jaime Casias, who would have turned three this summer if she had survived.  Due to the "worst case of shaken baby" the doctors had ever seen, says paramedic Sharon Abbey, little Jaime died at only seven weeks of age.  According to Abbey, who first treated Jaime when she arrived at the emergency room, the infant's father brought Jaime to the ER saying that she wasn't breathing and desperately asked the paramedic to "do something."  Upon hearing the court decision regarding Jeff Casias, Abbey told News Channel 13 that she is glad the life sentence sends a message to parents about the seriousness of shaking a baby, though she is heartbroken that no sentence could ever bring justice to the innocent baby.  Abbey hopes that parents and caregivers will learn what to do when a child cries continuously, since it is something that does happen, and will call 911 for help if they have exhausted all resources and don't know what to do with their babies.

If you think that your baby may have been shaken or is suffering from shaken baby syndrome, contact the Keane Law Firm for help regarding medical care, financial assistance, and other resources your child needs to recover from injuries and achieve maximum health.  Chris Keane represents children and only children in shaken baby syndrome and other child injury cases, and he will answer your questions for free with compassion and professionalism.

To contact Chris Keane, fill out the Keane Law Firm's online contact form or call 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

To request a free copy of Chris Keane's newest book, Little Kids in BIG cases:  Shaken Baby Syndrome, click here.

Father Says Baby Was Unresponsive, Admits to Shaking Baby & Faces Homicide by Child Abuse Charge | Shaken Baby Syndrome Attorney

The father of a two-month-old baby was arrested and faces a charge of homicide by child abuse due to the death of the child which may have resulted from shaken baby syndrome, according to the WIS 10 news website.  According to the site, the Orangeburg, SC, father told authorities that he tripped while holding his baby and then found the baby to be unresponsive, and he admits that his response was to shake the child.  According to the news source, Anwar Young faces 20 years to life in prison if convicted of child abuse charges.

Neonatologist Dr. Kim Lee is quoted in the article for explaining that babies will cry simply to communicate and, though the sound can be "loud and frustrating," parents must learn to put their babies down and walk into another room for a while if necessary to calm their own nerves.  According to Lee, it appears as if advice in the "old days" told parents to shake babies in order to arouse them from what must be sleepiness if the babies were less responsive than usual.  Current medical research, however, has found that shaking a baby can be extremely dangerous since the brain tissue of a young baby is not developed completely.  In fact, doctors say that shaking a baby can lead to delays in development, bleeding in the brain, or even death.  According to the website, all hospitals give parents information regarding shaken baby syndrome, why it occurs, and what to do instead of shaking a baby.  Among the information some hospitals are including is the fact that some babies can cry over three hours a day up to three months of age, sometimes for no apparent reason.

If you believe that your child may be suffering from shaken baby syndrome, the Keane Law Firm can help you by providing you with relevant resources, information, and free answers to your pressings questions unique to your particular situation.  Child abuse and child injury attorney Chris Keane focuses his practice on representing children and only children, fighting as an advocate for those who have been abused, injured, or suffered wrongful death.  For free resources, answers to questions, and information regarding how to receive the best medical care for your child, contact Chris Keane on the web or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Link:

Baby Dies After Father Admits Shaking Him

Day Care Center Owner Charged With Battery That Led to Death of 6-Month-Old | CA Abusive Head Trauma Lawyer

A former day care owner from Indiana has been charged with battery that resulted in child fatality after a doctor determined that the 6-month-old, who had been under her care, died from injuries to the head.  The type of traumatic brain injury suffered by the child typically occurs when a child is shaken, as in the case of abusive head trauma (or "shaken baby syndrome").  We at the Keane Law Firm express our deepest condolences to the family of the young child, and we aim to provide injured children with resources to receive the proper care and treatment for immediate healing and a longer, healthier life.  To read more, click the following link to access the news article on this Indiana day care abuse story.  Keane Law Firm/ Attorney Chris Keane:  1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).