Dad convicted of shaking 7-week-daughter to death--while she was in the hospital (Lancashire, England, United Kingdom)

Dad JOSHUA BACON has been found guilty of manslaughter in the shaking death of his 7-week-old daughter. The baby had been hospitalized for a urinary infection when the father was momentarily left alone with her and violently shook her; she later died from severe head injuries.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7466171/Boy-17-convicted-of-shaking-daughter-to-death-in-hospital.html

Boy, 17, convicted of shaking daughter to death in hospital
A 17-year-old boy has been convicted of killing his baby daughter by shaking her while visiting her in hospital.

Published: 3:37PM GMT 17 Mar 2010

Joshua Bacon, from St Helens, Merseyside, was found guilty of manslaughter after his seven-week-old daughter Caitlyn Smith died from severe head injuries.

The little girl was being treated for a urine infection in hospital when Bacon attacked her on January 12 last year.

She was found unconscious in her cot by a nurse at Ormskirk and District General Hospital, a jury at Preston Crown Court heard.

She was transferred to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool but tragically died from her injuries.

Bacon was charged with murder but this was reduced to manslaughter part way through the three-and-a-half-week trial. A court order banning Bacon being named due to his age was lifted after his conviction.

In a statement, Caitlyn's mother Danielle Smith said her ex-partner had ruined a number of lives.

She said: ''He stole the life of my beautiful angel, Caitlyn, and ruined my life and that of my family. The sickening injuries he inflicted on my innocent, defenceless seven-week-old daughter on that day in that hospital room were horrific.

''He was her father and was trusted to look after and care for his daughter but instead once alone he caused her massive injuries that led to her death.

''I am disappointed that he was not convicted of murder as I believe anybody capable of raising their hand to a baby in this way is capable of murder.

''I only had my daughter for a very short time but I will never forget her smile and the feeling of holding her in my arms.

''No sentence can ever bring my precious daughter back but I hope he doesn't have the opportunity to destroy anymore lives the way he did mine and my daughter's.''

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Murphy from Lancashire Police, who led the investigation, said the case was ''particularly tragic''.

He said: ''Even though Joshua has today been found guilty of the child's manslaughter, it will be little consolation to the Caitlyn's family who still mourn their loss.

''Joshua has never accepted responsibility and has never explained his actions. Only he knows what really happened.

''I know the jury found it difficult to hear the full and harrowing details of the injuries this little girl suffered and I am grateful to them for their deliberations.

''My thoughts, and those of the investigating team, are very much with Caitlyn's family, particularly her mother who was so tragically bereaved.''

Susan McNamara, senior crown prosecutor for Lancashire, said: ''It was our case that the baby girl's father was responsible for the fatal injuries that she suffered to her brain, and that they happened as a result of excessive force while he was alone with her in the hospital.''

Bacon will be sentenced on April 14.