Dad on trial for abusing 2-month-old daughter; baby has permanent brain and vision damage (Reno, Nevada)

Dad GERALDO ESPINOSA is scheduled to go on trial on charges of child abuse/neglect causing substantial bodily harm. The 2-month-old daughter was shaken so violently that she suffered a skull fracture and a bone fracture, and now has permanent brain and vision damage. She will require lifetime care.

Once again we have a working mom (and working grandma), while Daddy plays at primary caretaker. But as is too often the case, Daddy had neither the patience, skills, or temperament to do infant care. So he gets "frustrated" with the baby's "constant crying" and shook her "multiple times."

Once again, we see that there is a desperate need to get daddies into the workforce (where they can haul rocks or build roads or something) along with a long-ignored need for decent maternity leaves.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100203/NEWS01/100203048/1321/NEWS/Reno-father-pleads-innocent-to-shaking-baby

Reno father pleads innocent to shaking baby
By Jaclyn O'Malley • jomalley@rgj.com • February 3, 2010

A 19-year-old Reno man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to shaking his infant daughter so violently that she suffered permanent brain and vision damage.

Gerardo Espinosa was scheduled for trial in July on charges of child abuse/neglect causing substantial bodily harm, for which the penalty is up to 20 years in prison.

Espinosa allegedly shook the 2-month-old child Oct. 29 after his 20-year-old wife and her mother left for work and his wife’s 9-year-old brother was at school. He took the child to Renown Regional Medical Center after she appeared lifeless and had trouble breathing, according to testimony at his January preliminary hearing.

Washoe County sheriff’s deputies testified that Espinosa gave them several excuses for the girl’s head injuries, including her fall from a bed, him tripping while holding her, and accidentally striking her head on the edge of some furniture. Finally, he told Deputy Kimberly Meyer that he was frustrated with the girl’s constant crying, and shook her multiple times in anger, according to testimony.

A medical expert testified that the infant suffered a skull fracture, significant damage to her brain and eyes, and a forearm bone fracture. The baby’s prognosis was “not good,” and that she would need lifetime care.

The baby’s mother and grandmother testified the baby was happy and healthy when they left the house.