Mom trying to get protection order; dad shook infant son 6 years ago, leaving permanent brain damage (Omaha, Nebraska)

Almost 6 years ago, dad RYAN BRACKETT shook his newborn son so severely that the baby was left with severe brain damage and to this day, is in a vegetative state requiring 24 hour care. Dad just got out of prison in November, and now the mom is trying to get a protection order keeping Dad away from her and her disabled child. The judge is making her wait a week to find out. Meanwhile, we're hearing all kinds of crap on how dad is a "changed man," presumably because he didn't threaten the mom while he was in prison. Although this seems to be a moot point, since Dad wasn't around to threaten or harrass anybody.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/79108522.html

Protection Order Requested in Shaken Baby Case
A heartland mother must wait a little longer to know if she will be protected from the man who shook their son when he was an infant. Friday she asked the court for a protection order against her ex-boyfriend, who has served time in jail.

Posted: 9:43 PM Dec 11, 2009
Reporter: Ann McIntire
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

A heartland mother must wait a little longer to know if she will be protected from the man who shook their son when he was an infant. Friday she asked the court for a protection order against her ex-boyfriend, who has served time in jail.

Little Devin Brackett will be six in February. "He has a feeding tube, a trach, and there's no response at all, that's his whole life right there, breathing through a trach and his feeding tube," said Devin's grandfather, Dallas Rose.

Devin has severe brain damage. At just five days old, Devin was shaken by his father, Ryan Brackett. The boy remains in a vegetative state requiring 24 hour hospital care.

Devin's mother, Chrystal Shaw, wants to extend a restraining order against the father to protect herself, and her son.

"I'm scared for her myself, her safety, and Devin's, my whole entire family as far as that goes," said Rose.

Ryan Brackett served five years in jail for the abuse. He was released November 7. Brackett and his lawyer claim he is a new man, but it's something Devin's step-father doesn't buy. "I don't think he's a changed man at all, anybody that can do that to a child, that can shake a child and abuse their spouse, or girlfriend at the time when they're together. No that's not a changed man, that's not something that can be changed overnight," said Christopher Shaw.

In the courtroom, Judge Max Kelsch told the family they'd have to wait until next week for his decision. He wants to review previous cases of domestic abuse protection orders to determine if there is justifiable concern by Chrystal for herself and her son.

Kelsch also noted that by being in prison for the past five years, Brackett hasn't been around to make a threat on the family.

After Kelsch makes his decision, everyone will know one way or another, sometime next week.

Brackett's lawyer, Bill Gallup says his client hasn't threatened the family in any way over the past five years he's been in jail. "I think these protection orders are a travesty, a waste of everybody's time, and I think just about 90 percent of the judges in the state would agree with me."

Rose would like a decision, but appreciates the judge taking the time to study different laws. "I was kind of hoping it would be over for her sake, and ours, too."

However the real tragedy, is the suffering that will never be over for Devin.

"It's hard to believe that he can destroy his son's life, spend five years in jail and in prison, and walk out a free man, and live his life on," said Rose. "My grandson is paying his sentencing for the rest of his life."