Dad shakes 8-week-old daughter, fractures her spine (Lawrence, Massachusetts)

Father JUAN CABRERA has admitted shaking his 8-week-old daughter so violently that doctors initially believed she would will be blind for life. It was also determined that the baby had a fractured spine. Dad has blamed his bi-polar disorder, which was not then being treated. (Wait, haven't we been told that only moms cop a mental health excuse? WRONG!)

http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_182232242.html

Published: July 02, 2009 12:06 am

Father gets 31/2 years in jail in baby shaking case
By Jim Patten mailto:Pattenjpatten@eagletribune.com

LAWRENCE — The father of a baby girl has been sent to jail for three and a half years for shaking his infant so violently that doctors believed she'd be blind for life.

The baby, eight weeks old at the time of the assault, has regained her sight, but could face medical problems down the road, said Lawrence police Detective Lt. Mary Bartlett.

Juan Cabrera, 20, of Framingham, admitted shaking the baby twice in February.

Cabrera pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and battery on a child under 14 causing serious bodily injury last week in Salem Superior Court.

During a hearing in which he waived his right to a jury trial, Cabrera told Judge Timothy Feeley he had been treated for mental illness, including bipolar disorder, but was not presently being treated.

Prosecutor Kate MacDougall said when police arrived at the home the baby was not responsive and frothing at the mouth.

MacDougall said it was determined the baby had a fractured spine.