Shaken Baby Syndrome Blog

Daycare provider, Gail Dobson, found guilty of second degree murder of Trevor Ulrich|Shaken Baby Syndrome Justice|Keane - Shaken Baby Syndrome Lawyer - Helps SBS Survivors Where Prosecutors Can’t or Won’t Prosecute

chris — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:59:35 +0000

It has been reported that a daycare provider, Gail Dobson, was found guilty of second degree murder and second degree assault of Trevor Ulrich, a 9 month old boy who died. The case was tried in Talbot County, Maryland. By reported history, Trevor was in the daycare for a short time (a few days) and the autopsy reported injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

We are saddened to hear about the tragedy which has occurred to Trevor and his family, and offer our thoughts and condolences to them.

Some families of victims of shaken baby syndrome are unable to get even this level of justice for themselves or for their baby, if he or she survives. This could be for a number of reasons. First, criminal prosecutions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This is appropriate because people will go to jail and lose their liberty. So even though a prosecutor may be able to prove “more likely than not” under whose care a baby was shaken, then ethically they are prohibited from filing charges, even if they know who did it. Second, some prosecutors are overwhelmed with a big caseload and unable to take on a complicated scientific and medical issues that can arise during shaken baby syndrome cases. Third, sometimes prosecutors choose to bring cases where there is a death, but not cases where there is neurologic problems, brain damage or other gross motor skill damage or neurocognitive damage. For cases like those, where the prosecutors are unable or unwilling to bring them, the parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles,or guardians should consider bringing a civil action to correct the injustice. In a civil action, a complaint is filed against the perpetrator and a jury returns a verdict against her or him. There will be a public record of the complaint, and the verdict and judgment. Also, the shaken baby will have money available to help him or her as they get older (the money will be protected by a court until they are 18, or longer if they have cognitive problems and cannot take care of their own money). For cases in which there is brain damage, neurologic damage, neurocognitive damage or other injury, including blindness, Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm have dedicated themselves to helping these shaken babies, have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of brain-damaged babies and are available to represent select cases on behalf of the baby. Please contact them at 888-592-KIDS, or on the web at www.keanelaw.com It is free to call and talk to the firm, and it may be the only and best way for you to help your shaken baby - especially when the prosecutor in your county cannot or will not help correct the injustice.

A link to the Trevor Ulrich story is below.

http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=13020203

Ohio shaken baby syndrome case - Jada Ruiz, 9 month old SBS survivor, can be removed from life support per court order|Shaken Baby Syndrome Lawyer|Survivor of SBS|Shaken Baby on Life Support

chris — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:10:02 +0000

In Ohio, a tragic case was reported where a 9 month old girl, Jada Ruiz, was reportedly shaken to the point where she was brain dead. Her mother, Deja Ruiz, age 19, reportedly petitioned a court to allow her to remove life support from her daughter. It will be of interest to see whether the court elevates the charges pending in the case from felonious assault and child endangerment to manslaughter or murder. The case is reported at the link below.

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/jul/17/ohio-judge-allows-mom-take-baby-life-support-ar-155110/

For more information on the physical effects of abusive head trauma or shaken baby syndrome in general, feel free to contact child injury and shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane. Accustomed to working with the best medical experts in the field during abusive head trauma cases, he will answer all your questions for free, provide you with helpful resources, and help you obtain money to pay for the medical care your child needs. Shaken baby syndrome is a serious matter, and Chris Keane is devoted to making life better for its survivors and their families.

Contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS

Nathan Wilson, 6 month old boy, dies after reportedly being shaken for 10 seconds|Shaken baby with bruises and old injuries|Shaken Baby Syndrome lawyer|Shaken Baby syndrome attorney

chris — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:23:46 +0000

The Boson Herald reported the tragic case of Nathan Wilson, a 6 month old boy in Massachusetts who died after being shaken for 10 seconds. Here’s the link:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100626dad_indicted_in_babys_death_malden_man_pleads_not_guilty/

In addition to the article being significant because it reports a confirmed 10 second shaking episode followed by death, it is also a significant report because it indicates that the shaking was done to quiet down a cranky and fussy baby. Again, demonstrating the link between a crying baby and a reported shaken baby syndrome event.

The other significant part of the article is that the autopsy revealed subdural hemorrhage which was acute in part, 3-5 days old in part and more than a month old in part - indicating multiple, smaller preceding injuries to the brain before the 10 second shaking which preceded the death. It is very important in a tragic situation like this - meaning when there are multiple prior injuries - for Nathan Wilson’s surviving family members and the authorities who are investigating his death to determine whether the baby had been exposed to any mandated reporters of child abuse (daycare providers, teachers, pediatricians, nurses, social workers, police, sheriff) who witnessed any signs of abuse (e.g. bruising, oral injuries, excessive vomiting, apparent life threatening events) and whether they reported any such signs to the responsible child welfare agency (CPS and/or the police/sheriff). The report of this death also signifies once again the significant temporal relationship between babies crying, babies being shaken for a short period of time (10 seconds) and the sudden onset of a decrease in neurologic functioning.

For more information on the physical effects of abusive head trauma or shaken baby syndrome in general, feel free to contact child injury and shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane. Accustomed to working with the best medical experts in the field during abusive head trauma cases, he will answer all your questions for free, provide you with helpful resources, and help you find the medical care your child needs. Shaken baby syndrome is a serious matter, and Chris Keane is devoted to making life better for its victims and their families.

Contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

How social workers can help survivors of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma|California child abuse lawyer|Shaken baby syndrome lawyer

chris — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:43:36 +0000

Medical social workers are almost always involved in cases of child abuse resulting in severe brain damage - be it from shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma. As soon as an emergency department provider suspects that the head trauma was intentionally inflicted, they will almost always simultaneously order both the requisite neurological consults and a social work consult. The primary underlying role of a medical social worker is to make the adjustment from inpatient to outpatient as smooth as possible for the child and his or her future caregivers (such as a non-abusive parent, or grandparents or other relatives who will now be caring for the child once the child is removed from the abusive and/or neglectful caregiver). Many of the survivors of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma will have a lifetime of medical needs and need help around the home - and most will never support themselves or live independently, so the social worker should help the child’s new caregivers get as much help as possible. One of the best ways a social worker can do this is to refer the caregivers to a lawyer who represents survivors of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma. A shaken baby syndrome lawyer can help get the child money to take care of home health care, residential care, transportation, therapy, orthopedic appliances and any necessary doctor or nursing assistance. Also, a shaken baby syndrome attorney can get money for the caregivers to get respite -or take a break - so they can rest up and be available to help them continue to help the child. Medi-Cal will not cover all of these expenses, so social workers should refer their patients to someone who can help them.

For more information on how the Keane Law Firm can help social workers with referrals of survivors of abusive head trauma or shaken baby syndrome in general, feel free to contact child injury and shaken baby syndrome lawyer Chris Keane. Accustomed to working with the best medical experts in the field during abusive head trauma cases, he will answer all your questions for free, provide you with helpful resources, and help you find the medical care your child needs. Shaken baby syndrome is a serious matter, and Chris Keane is devoted to making life better for its victims and their families.

Click here to contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS

Children with catastrophic brain injuries from shaken baby syndrome - were prior signs of abuse ignored?|California Child Abuse Lawyer|Shaken baby syndrome

chris — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:53:23 +0000

When a child has suffered a catastrophic brain injury due to shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma, it is important to check the child’s history to see whether there was any sign of abuse prior to the catastrophic event. Were there unexplained or excessive bruises? Was there an odd or unexplained injury? Was there unexplained, excessive vomiting? Was there an inexplicable delay in getting treatment for the prior injury? The reason why these types of questions are significant is because oftentimes such signs or history was made known to someone who could and should have intervened prior to the critical shaking or abusive head trauma event. The law requires various professionals to not only be on the lookout for these signs, but to report them to the police or child protective services. If you have any questions about whether a child who has been shaken or suffered abusive head trauma was supposed to have been reported to the police or to child protective services before they were shaken or suffered abusive head trauma, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-592-KIDS.

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

chris — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:37:44 +0000

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.

Morelock Racing Team races to raise awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome - join the Keane Law Firm in supporting him.

chris — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:59:24 +0000

Denny Morelock, Sr., a race care driver and, more importantly, a grandpa - is combining his love for racing and his love for his grandson, Dominic. Dominic is survivor of shaken baby syndrome who was shaken at three (3) months of age. It is the goal of Denny, and his family, to raise awarness of the risk of shaken baby syndrome - and how to prevent it. He will accomplish his goal by taking his Morelock SBS Racing car to as many car shows, fairs and festivals as his schedule and financial support permits. Additionally, the Morelock crew hopes to get a petition signed that requires each new parent to watch a video about the dangers of shaking a baby before they leave the hospital with their newborn. This is a great cause, and Denny is a very determined and sincere grandpa. The Keane Law Firm supports Denny and his cause, and if you can help his team out with a sponsorship of any size, contact him at Kmorelock@woh.rr.com. Go Denny Go!

Boyfriend of Child’s Mother Shakes Infant on Christmas Eve, Sending Baby to Hospital

Logan — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:53:59 +0000

A child abuse incident on Christmas Eve sent a 4-month-old child to a Reno hospital with a head injury, according to RGJ online. According to detectives, the baby’s mother said that she left the infant with her boyfriend for approximately 20 minutes. When she returned to her home, the baby was acting different, so she took the child to the hospital, where physicians determined the cause of the injuries to be shaken baby syndrome. The 26-year-old boyfriend reportedly shook the child because he was angry that the infant was crying, so he shook it violently to stop the crying. He was arrested Monday, December 28.

As a father of two and an attorney for child abuse and shaken baby syndrome, Chris Keane hopes for the full and fast recovery of this infant. For more information on shaken baby syndrome, child abuse, and how you can receive free help during your time of need, contact Chris Keane of the Keane Law Firm. 1-888-592-KIDS.

Infant on Life Support for Head Injuries After Shaken by Father

Logan — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:25:19 +0000

After being taken to a medical center by his grandmother for head injuries and difficulty breathing, a two-month-old boy was airlifted to a children’s medical center in Salt Lake City and placed on life support, according to The Spectrum online. The injuries sustained by the infant were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, and police arrested the infant’s father on child abuse charges after conducting an initial investigation. The man was reportedly watching other children as well as the infant when the incident occurred and resulted in traumatic head injuries for the boy. Medical personnel reported to visitors that the prognosis for the child was not good, and it was not clear whether the child could survive on his own without life support.

As an advocate for injured and abused children, Chris Keane hopes for the full and fast recovery of this infant. If you believe that your baby has been shaken and may be suffering from abusive head trauma, feel free to contact child injury 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.

Unlicensed Daycare Provider Indicted After Infant Girl Suffers Serious Head Injuries From Shaken Baby Syndrome

Logan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:54:32 +0000

An Illinois woman who kept children in an unlicensed daycare facility at her home has been indicted in the shaken baby syndrome case of a child who was under her care, according to the Quad-City Times. The state Attorney General’s Office announced today that 38-year-old Karyn McCallister was indicted for shaking the four-month-old baby, which resulted in significant head injuries for the infant girl. The child was reportedly in McCallister’s care multiple times before the February 24th incident this year in which the daycare provider allegedly shook the girl due to the infant’s crying. As a result of the shaking, the baby suffered serious head trauma and multiple subdural hematomas (a traumatic brain injury in which blood gathers in part of the brain). In this case of abusive head trauma, McCallister has been charged with one count of reckless conduct (which could send her to prison for 1 to 3 years) and one count of aggravated battery of a child (which could result in 6 to 30 years in prison).

As a father of two and an attorney for daycare injuries and shaken baby syndrome, Chris Keane expresses his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this baby girl, and he hopes for her full and fast recovery. For more information on shaken baby syndrome, daycare injuries, 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).