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.

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Clarion Ledger:  10-Year Sentence Given

Healthy Start Coalition's Baby Shower & Expo to Discuss Shaken Baby Syndrome | California Child Injury Lawyer

Shaken baby syndrome awareness is spreading throughout the country, with some of the educational efforts coming from groups that are not directly linked to child abuse prevention.  One group in particular is the Healthy Start Coalition of Santa Rosa County, Florida, which has announced the details for its second annual baby shower and expo, according to the PNJ website.  The event, scheduled for August 8th, will honor new and expectant mothers and offer encouragement, educational materials, information regarding community support services, and other helpful resources.  Among the topics of discussion in presentations are immunization, alcohol abuse or smoking during pregnancy, the benefits of breastfeeding, and shaken baby syndrome.  While some may be concerned that shaken baby syndrome prevention seminars do not appeal to the public and, therefore, do not attract the public, leaving them uneducated about the issue, events such as this baby shower attract crowds and, hopefully, achieve the desired goal while honoring and celebrating parenthood.  According to the site, over 600 people attended the event last year.

If you would like more information about shaken baby syndrome or prevention efforts in your community, feel free to contact child abuse and child injury lawyer Chris Keane of California's Keane Law Firm.  As an advocate for victims of shaken baby syndrome, Keane will help you find the best medical care for your child and provide you with the resources you need to ensure that your baby reaches maximum recovery.  Contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

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).

Memorial Hospital for Children Implements Child Abuse Prevention Program to Combat Rise in Shaken Baby Cases

Memorial Hospital for Children in Colorado Springs has already treated 25 abused babies this year, with six of the children suffering fatal injuries and the rest of them inflicted with brain damage, blindness, paralysis, or other serious conditions, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.  Twenty-six total cases of child abuse were handled by the hospital last year-- showing a significant rise in child abuse for 2009 based on the 25 cases seen by the hospital in just seven months this year.  Also from January through July of 2009, twice the number of babies have died as a result of child abuse than the number recorded for all of last year.  According to officials from Memorial Hospital, the majority of these incidents of abuse are cases of shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma), and the hospital hopes to combat these rising numbers with a new prevention program scheduled to begin August 1st.  Similar to prevention efforts in other states, the program involves teaching all new parents (and, hopefully, other family members) about the dangers of shaking a child as well as how to handle a baby's chronic crying when it occurs at home.

According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, the rise in abusive head trauma cases is a trend across the United States, with an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 cases per year, but research shows that prevention efforts such as the one adopted by Memorial Hospital may cut the number of shaken baby cases in half.  Not only is the new program intended to prevent parents from abusing their children, but also to cause parents to be extremely careful when choosing caregivers for their babies.

For more information about abusive head trauma, its effects, and how to receive the best medical care for your child, contact shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS. He will be glad to provide you with free resources and advice regarding your unique situation.

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Gazette:  Memorial combats rise in shaken-baby cases with new program

8-Month-Old Child Dies from Shaken Baby Syndrome Injuries, Monterey Man Arrested | CA Child Wrongful Death Lawyer

An 8-month-old child from Monterey, CA, died Monday, July 27, from injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, according to the KION news website.  The initial report of injury occurred Friday, July 24, when police received a call from the Casa Verde Inn stating that a baby was unconscious after falling.  According to the site, the child was then transported to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula before being airlifted to Stanford Medical Center for treatment.  Twenty-four-year-old William Fajardo was arrested the same day in connection with incident and now faces charges of homicide and assault resulting in child fatality, among other charges.  Investigators reported that Fajardo's girlfriend, 17, was not present at the time of the alleged shaking incident.

Wrongful death from shaken baby syndrome is something no child should have to suffer, and no parent 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.

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KION:  Baby Dies, Man Arrested for Child Abuse

Child Abuse & Shaken Baby Cases Rising in Weakened Economy | CA Abusive Head Trauma Lawyer

Police in the metropolitan Las Vegas area have recently found that the number of child abuse cases in Clark County, NV, have risen 17 percent this year, according to Fox 5 News Las Vegas.  According to the news channel, Metro Lieutenant Ray Steiber attributes the increase in broken bones and shaken baby syndrome at least partly to the nation's economic situation, which puts stress on families due to the loss of jobs, difficulty paying bills, and other hardships.  In the year 2008, police in metro Las Vegas responded to nine cases of shaken baby syndrome total.  This year, they have already handled seven cases of shaken baby syndrome (from January through July).  In response to the devastating trend this year, the police department set a child abuse prevention program in motion in April.  The "Just Step Back" program is similar to prevention efforts in other states in that it partners with local hospitals to educate parents of newborns before they take their children home.  Like many other programs, the Las Vegas effort uses a video to demonstrate the dangers of shaking or abusing a baby.

If you have questions regarding shaken baby syndrome prevention or what to do if you believe a baby has been shaken, feel free to contact child abuse and child injury lawyer Chris Keane for free information and resources.  Also called abusive head trauma, shaken baby syndrome requires serious attention, and Chris Keane will work as an advocate to ensure your child receives the best medical care and other needs following a shaking injury.  For free answers to questions regarding your unique situation, contact Chris Keane online or by phone at 1-888-592-KIDS.

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Fox 5 News:  Child Abuse In Vegas Rises 17 Percent

Shaken Baby Syndrome Facts from ABC Action News | California Abusive Head Trauma Lawyer

Shaken baby syndrome has caught the attention of the ABC Action News crew, who just posted an article on their website stating the facts of the condition as well as how frustrated parents can find help before they take those frustrations out on their children.  Among the highlighted facts on the site are the following:

• Formally referred to as abusive head trauma, shaken baby syndrome is a serious condition that often results in fatality.

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, shaken baby syndrome, by definition, is: "a form of inflicted head trauma" that occurs "when a parent or caregiver violently shakes a baby."

• Survivors of abusive head trauma often suffer long-term consequences, including problems in behavior, difficulty learning, seizures, and even blindness.

• Although symptoms of abusive head trauma range from mild to severe, with some of the more mild cases never being diagnosed, the more common symptoms include difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, lethargy, and irritability.

• The most common reason a caregiver shakes an infant or young child is a baby's inconsolable crying.

As a shaken baby syndrome and child injury lawyer, Chris Keane devotes his practice to representing injured and abused children.  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.

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ABC Action News:  "The Facts about Shaken Baby Syndrome"