Dad is identified as RICHARD LOVELL.
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/2013/04/25/chester-father-admits-inflicting-gbh-against-his-baby-son-59067-33231766/
Chester father admits inflicting GBH against his baby son
Apr 25 2013
Chester Chronicle
A FATHER pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm against his three-month-old son in a ‘baby shaking’ case at Chester Crown Court.
Richard Lovell, 25, a chef of Treborth Road, Blacon, whose chest bears a tattoo featuring his son’s name and date of birth, was originally prosecuted last year but the case was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.
However, the CPS warned it was likely to re-instigate proceedings.
Judge David Hale, sitting at Chester Crown Court on Monday, heard the defence argue there was ‘no intention to cause really serious harm’.
Lovell had denied grievous bodily harm with intent against his young son R-Jay Lovell, now aged 17 months, but admitted inflicting GBH.
However, Judge Hale commented: “But the shaking that he did do has had a terrible effect.”
The incident happened at an address in Chapel Lane, Chester, on February 6, 2012.
It is understood the brain injuries will result in severe permanent brain damage and visual impairment.
Lovell, a former amateur boxer, who has two other children from another relationship, will be sentenced on May 24 after the Probation Service has compiled a report.
The judge told Lovell: “The fact I’m adjourning the case for a report and renewing your bail should give you no indication as to the outcome. For the moment, you are free to go.”
Previous hearings have been told the infant was taken to hospital by Mr Lovell following a 999 call in which it was said the child was not breathing.
Medics found the baby, who was born at the Countess of Chester Hospital on November 13, 2011, had bleeds to his brain and hundreds of haemorrhages in both eyes.
The infant, who was also found to have a fractured left forearm, was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool but is now believed to be at home with his mother.
Showing posts with label head inury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label head inury. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
"Babysitting" dad accused of child abuse; baby in critical condition after being "accidentally" dropped (Marion, Indiana)
Yet another working mom and "stay-at-home" (i.e. deadbeat unemployed) dad--with prior convictions for child abuse, no less.
Did anybody really believe that dad HANK PHILLIPS would turn out to be a model father? What we now have is a baby who was "accidentally" dropped who is now in critical condition. Yea, right. Accident, my foot.
Please, mamas. Unemployed felons do not make good babysitters. Avoid these guys if at all possible. Of course it would help if we had real maternity leaves in this country so mamas actually had a choice.
http://www.marionstar.com/article/20100908/NEWS01/9080304
Marion man accused of child abuse; infant hospitalized
BY JESSICA CUFFMAN • The Marion Star • September 8, 2010
MARION - An infant hospitalized Saturday after his father said he dropped him was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday, police said.
His father, Hank Phillips, 27, 1030 Congress St., was arrested for a parole violation Saturday after police began investigating the incident.
On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a felony complaint of child endangering and felonious assault. Phillips' bond is $100,000.
The infant's mother took him to the hospital with injuries Saturday evening.
Phillips had sent her a text while she was at work that said he had accidentally dropped the baby. The mother left work and went home, saw the child's injuries on his neck and head and took him to the hospital, according to the police report.
The doctor who examined the infant said the injuries sustained could have come from being dropped, but likely weren't.
The infant was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital for further testing and treatment and was listed in critical condition as of press time, Lt. Jon Shaffer said.
Witnesses told police Phillips had prior convictions for child abuse.
In Wayne County, Ind., in October 2006, he was sentenced to prison for neglect of a dependent and served just more than two years, a records clerk with the Indiana Department of Corrections said.
He was released on court-ordered probation, but isn't on probation anymore in Indiana from that charge, she said.
Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Brent Yager confirmed Phillips is being supervised by the adult parole authority in Ohio for committing similar crimes in Indiana.
Details of the cases are being obtained, he said.
Police continue to investigate Phillips' criminal background. He has no previous criminal convictions in Marion city or county courts.
The mother of the child told police she and Phillips had been in a relationship for a few years and have one child together.
Upon questioning, she told police she had asked Phillips about redness she had seen around the baby's eye another day last week, and he said the baby accidentally scratched himself. Later, Phillips told her had accidentally dropped the baby then, too.
Marion County Children Services is investigating the case with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Children Services Executive Director Eric Bush said.
MCCS is working with the child's family to protect two other children in the home, he said.
Did anybody really believe that dad HANK PHILLIPS would turn out to be a model father? What we now have is a baby who was "accidentally" dropped who is now in critical condition. Yea, right. Accident, my foot.
Please, mamas. Unemployed felons do not make good babysitters. Avoid these guys if at all possible. Of course it would help if we had real maternity leaves in this country so mamas actually had a choice.
http://www.marionstar.com/article/20100908/NEWS01/9080304
Marion man accused of child abuse; infant hospitalized
BY JESSICA CUFFMAN • The Marion Star • September 8, 2010
MARION - An infant hospitalized Saturday after his father said he dropped him was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday, police said.
His father, Hank Phillips, 27, 1030 Congress St., was arrested for a parole violation Saturday after police began investigating the incident.
On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a felony complaint of child endangering and felonious assault. Phillips' bond is $100,000.
The infant's mother took him to the hospital with injuries Saturday evening.
Phillips had sent her a text while she was at work that said he had accidentally dropped the baby. The mother left work and went home, saw the child's injuries on his neck and head and took him to the hospital, according to the police report.
The doctor who examined the infant said the injuries sustained could have come from being dropped, but likely weren't.
The infant was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital for further testing and treatment and was listed in critical condition as of press time, Lt. Jon Shaffer said.
Witnesses told police Phillips had prior convictions for child abuse.
In Wayne County, Ind., in October 2006, he was sentenced to prison for neglect of a dependent and served just more than two years, a records clerk with the Indiana Department of Corrections said.
He was released on court-ordered probation, but isn't on probation anymore in Indiana from that charge, she said.
Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Brent Yager confirmed Phillips is being supervised by the adult parole authority in Ohio for committing similar crimes in Indiana.
Details of the cases are being obtained, he said.
Police continue to investigate Phillips' criminal background. He has no previous criminal convictions in Marion city or county courts.
The mother of the child told police she and Phillips had been in a relationship for a few years and have one child together.
Upon questioning, she told police she had asked Phillips about redness she had seen around the baby's eye another day last week, and he said the baby accidentally scratched himself. Later, Phillips told her had accidentally dropped the baby then, too.
Marion County Children Services is investigating the case with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Children Services Executive Director Eric Bush said.
MCCS is working with the child's family to protect two other children in the home, he said.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Baby critically injured; teenage father charged (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
Dad COREE BAKER has been charged with infliction of great bodily harm on a child. His infant son was hospitalized with critical injuries consistent with violent shaking (also known as abusive head trauma).
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT: Notice Dad was with the infant "all night" before he was hospitalized. No mention of a mother. This wasn't one of those overnight visits with an unmarried father, was it?
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12554361
Baby critically injured, teenage father charged
Posted: May 27, 2010 12:39 PM CDT
Updated: May 27, 2010 12:53 PM CDT
ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - A teenager in Rock Hill is behind bars, charged with child abuse after police say his infant son was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to a police report obtained by WBTV, Coree Baker, 19, has been charged with infliction of great bodily harm on a child.
Investigators say EMS brought the baby boy to Piedmont Medical Center Wednesday afternoon. When nurses got the baby, he had bruising on this left face and eye, left shoulder, wrist and legs.
The complainant said the baby was lethargic, having trouble breathing and would only respond to pain stimuli.
According to the police report, a CAT Scan showed the baby had bleeding on his brain. The injuries, according to the nurse, are all consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The report states that Baker, the child's father, was with the child all night before the was taken to the hospital.
Baker has been arrested.
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT: Notice Dad was with the infant "all night" before he was hospitalized. No mention of a mother. This wasn't one of those overnight visits with an unmarried father, was it?
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12554361
Baby critically injured, teenage father charged
Posted: May 27, 2010 12:39 PM CDT
Updated: May 27, 2010 12:53 PM CDT
ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - A teenager in Rock Hill is behind bars, charged with child abuse after police say his infant son was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to a police report obtained by WBTV, Coree Baker, 19, has been charged with infliction of great bodily harm on a child.
Investigators say EMS brought the baby boy to Piedmont Medical Center Wednesday afternoon. When nurses got the baby, he had bruising on this left face and eye, left shoulder, wrist and legs.
The complainant said the baby was lethargic, having trouble breathing and would only respond to pain stimuli.
According to the police report, a CAT Scan showed the baby had bleeding on his brain. The injuries, according to the nurse, are all consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The report states that Baker, the child's father, was with the child all night before the was taken to the hospital.
Baker has been arrested.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Dad going to trial on 2nd-degree murder charges for death of infant daughter (Prince George County, Maryland)
Dad DEAN MORGAN is now going to trial on 2nd-degree murder charges in the death of his infant daughter. Dad had been asked to "babysit" while Mom took a nap. Well, it was just too much, you know. In LESS THAN 3 HOURS, dad had apparently managed to violently shake this child--enough so that she had stopped breathing, no longer had a pulse, and was "bluish." She later died at the hospital. No doubt he was "frustrated" by the fact that she was "fussy."
http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-shaken-baby-murder-trial,0,3715097.story
Prince George Shaken Baby Murder Trial
Dean Morgan facing 40 years in prison if convicted of shaking his infant daughter to death.
Wayne Covil Staff reporter
May 20, 2010
PRINCE GEORGE - The trial of a young father, accused of shaking his infant child to death, is now underway in Prince George County.
Dean Morgan, is charged with second-degree murder in the October 2009 death of his daughter Chloe.
Prosecutors told the courtroom on Thursday that Chloe's mother, Tabitha Talley, asked Morgan to watch the infant so she could take a nap. They say three hours later, Morgan woke Talley to say that something was wrong with Chloe. When paramedics arrived they reported finding Chloe bluish, not breathing and without a pulse.
The child died at the hospital several hours later and doctor's said all signs showed that Chloe died of shaken baby syndrome. Dean Morgan was originally charged with voluntary manslaughter in 2009, but those charges were upgraded in March when he was indicted on second-degree murder.
CBS 6 spoke to family members outside the courtroom and the child's aunt says Chloe was a twin and has a sister named Alyssa. She was Chloe was a good baby, but was more fussy than her sister because of constipation. Doug Talley, the babies' grandfather, tells CBS 6 the family is glad the trial is here because they can - "get this over to get some closure for our family."
The trial continues on Friday with the defense taking the stand. If convicted, Morgan faces 40-years in prison.
http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-shaken-baby-murder-trial,0,3715097.story
Prince George Shaken Baby Murder Trial
Dean Morgan facing 40 years in prison if convicted of shaking his infant daughter to death.
Wayne Covil Staff reporter
May 20, 2010
PRINCE GEORGE - The trial of a young father, accused of shaking his infant child to death, is now underway in Prince George County.
Dean Morgan, is charged with second-degree murder in the October 2009 death of his daughter Chloe.
Prosecutors told the courtroom on Thursday that Chloe's mother, Tabitha Talley, asked Morgan to watch the infant so she could take a nap. They say three hours later, Morgan woke Talley to say that something was wrong with Chloe. When paramedics arrived they reported finding Chloe bluish, not breathing and without a pulse.
The child died at the hospital several hours later and doctor's said all signs showed that Chloe died of shaken baby syndrome. Dean Morgan was originally charged with voluntary manslaughter in 2009, but those charges were upgraded in March when he was indicted on second-degree murder.
CBS 6 spoke to family members outside the courtroom and the child's aunt says Chloe was a twin and has a sister named Alyssa. She was Chloe was a good baby, but was more fussy than her sister because of constipation. Doug Talley, the babies' grandfather, tells CBS 6 the family is glad the trial is here because they can - "get this over to get some closure for our family."
The trial continues on Friday with the defense taking the stand. If convicted, Morgan faces 40-years in prison.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Baby in hospital, father behind bars (Huntington, West Virginia)
Dad JUSTIN TYLER RUSSELL has been arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in serious injury. His 2-month-old son is in critical condition after being "allegedly" shaken by his father.
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT: Was there a mother in this home?
http://www.news-expressky.com/articles/2010/05/15/news/01baby.txt
Baby in hospital, father behind bars
By Audrey Carter-Lee Staff Writer
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A two-month-old infant is in critical condition in the pediatric intensive care unit of a Huntington, W.Va., hospital after allegedly being shaken by his Mingo County father.At this time, Williamson Police Lt. C.D. Rockel said 25-year-old Justin Tyler Russell is lodged in the Southwestern Regional Jail on a $100,000 full-cash bond set by Cabell County Magistrate Patty Verbage Spence. Russell is charged with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. However, Rockel said pending the baby’s condition, the charge could be upgraded.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Dad killed newborn daughter first time they were left alone; convicted of manslaughter (London, England, United Kingdom)
The first time dad CHRISTOPHER SELLMAN was left alone with his 25-day-old daughter, he managed to kill her within an hour. Seems poor daddy became annoyed when his computer game was interrupted by the baby's crying. So he "slammed her down" during a diaper change--and with enough force to make her go "blue" and "floppy." The baby died from heart failure and bleeding on the brain. However, none of this should have been a surprise, given that Daddy has a PREVIOUS CONVICTION FOR ASSAULT.
You know what? Daddies with histories of violence--especially those who have convictions for domestic violence, assault, or rape--should not be allowed around children. Period.
As for this @$$hat, he managed to clear himself of murder charges, but has been convicted of manslaughter. His sentence? Just 5 years.
And what's this rubbish about Daddy being a "devoted father? What freaking evidence is there for that? None. Pure wishful thinking.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/06/man-killed-baby-daughter-tiffany
Father killed newborn daughter first time they were left alone
Christopher Sellman, a 'devoted father' but known risk to children, given five years for manslaughter of 25-day-old Tiffany
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 6 May 2010 12.36 BST
A man who killed his newborn daughter the first time he was left alone with her has been jailed for five years.
Tiffany Sellman Burdge was 25 days old when she died after suffering heart failure and bleeding to the brain while alone with her father, Christopher Sellman.
Passing sentence at Inner London crown court, Mr Justice Bean told Sellman he treated his daughter "roughly" and unlawfully killed her. "This is a tragic case," Bean said.
"Your daughter, Tiffany, was left in your care for the first time when she was only one month old. Within an hour she was effectively dead.
"It seems you were playing a computer game and were annoyed when she cried. You picked her up and slammed her down on to a padded changing mat with a view to changing her nappy."
But the judge said the baby girl turned blue and despite "desperate and frantic" efforts by the defendant and emergency services she died.
"You intended her no harm but you treated her roughly and unlawfully killed her."
He said Sellman made up a story about having slipped and dropped her, which the jury did not believe.
The judge said Tiffany was more than usually vulnerable because of a skull fracture sustained at birth, but "any one-month-old baby is tiny, fragile and vulnerable".
The judge said he found Sellman was a devoted father who was thrilled to have a daughter and showed her no animosity before the fatal incident. It was a "single incident without premeditation", he said.
Tiffany's death in November 2008 could have been prevented if information had been shared about the risk Sellman posed to children, a serious case review by Kent safeguarding children board found.
Sellman, 24, had a conviction for assault and hazard warning flags were placed against his name by authorities after he was cautioned for child neglect before he was found guilty of killing Tiffany.
Two other children under his care had been taken away from him and a former partner by children's social services following concerns about them.
But the court was told that the caution, when Sellman was 17, was for the "untidy and unsanitary conditions in which they lived and in which a child was being brought up".
Opportunities to protect Tiffany were missed by children's social services and health agencies, according to the report, published in March.
Relatives twice tried to alert agencies that Sellman's partner, Pamela Burdge, was pregnant with Tiffany but the information was not passed on or registered. Had Sellman been identified as the father and the extent of Burdge's childhood problems been known "in all probability care proceedings and action to protect Tiffany as soon as she was born" would have been implemented and her death might have been averted, the report said.
Burdge declined to comment outside court.
Her baby daughter died at King's College hospital in London on 1 November 2008 after Sellman had called an ambulance. He told the operator that Tiffany was losing colour and had gone "all floppy".
She was taken to the Kent and Sussex hospital in Tunbridge Wells before being transferred to London where a CT scan showed the extent of her injuries.
Sellman, previously of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was arrested on suspicion of her murder the next day.
Maidstone crown court was told that throughout the police investigation officers found Sellman could not give an accurate account of what had happened to the baby girl prior to his 999 call.
He told a number of people at least five different versions of events, the court heard.
During the six-week trial he denied both the murder and the manslaughter of his daughter, claiming that he had accidentally dropped her.
He was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.
You know what? Daddies with histories of violence--especially those who have convictions for domestic violence, assault, or rape--should not be allowed around children. Period.
As for this @$$hat, he managed to clear himself of murder charges, but has been convicted of manslaughter. His sentence? Just 5 years.
And what's this rubbish about Daddy being a "devoted father? What freaking evidence is there for that? None. Pure wishful thinking.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/06/man-killed-baby-daughter-tiffany
Father killed newborn daughter first time they were left alone
Christopher Sellman, a 'devoted father' but known risk to children, given five years for manslaughter of 25-day-old Tiffany
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 6 May 2010 12.36 BST
A man who killed his newborn daughter the first time he was left alone with her has been jailed for five years.
Tiffany Sellman Burdge was 25 days old when she died after suffering heart failure and bleeding to the brain while alone with her father, Christopher Sellman.
Passing sentence at Inner London crown court, Mr Justice Bean told Sellman he treated his daughter "roughly" and unlawfully killed her. "This is a tragic case," Bean said.
"Your daughter, Tiffany, was left in your care for the first time when she was only one month old. Within an hour she was effectively dead.
"It seems you were playing a computer game and were annoyed when she cried. You picked her up and slammed her down on to a padded changing mat with a view to changing her nappy."
But the judge said the baby girl turned blue and despite "desperate and frantic" efforts by the defendant and emergency services she died.
"You intended her no harm but you treated her roughly and unlawfully killed her."
He said Sellman made up a story about having slipped and dropped her, which the jury did not believe.
The judge said Tiffany was more than usually vulnerable because of a skull fracture sustained at birth, but "any one-month-old baby is tiny, fragile and vulnerable".
The judge said he found Sellman was a devoted father who was thrilled to have a daughter and showed her no animosity before the fatal incident. It was a "single incident without premeditation", he said.
Tiffany's death in November 2008 could have been prevented if information had been shared about the risk Sellman posed to children, a serious case review by Kent safeguarding children board found.
Sellman, 24, had a conviction for assault and hazard warning flags were placed against his name by authorities after he was cautioned for child neglect before he was found guilty of killing Tiffany.
Two other children under his care had been taken away from him and a former partner by children's social services following concerns about them.
But the court was told that the caution, when Sellman was 17, was for the "untidy and unsanitary conditions in which they lived and in which a child was being brought up".
Opportunities to protect Tiffany were missed by children's social services and health agencies, according to the report, published in March.
Relatives twice tried to alert agencies that Sellman's partner, Pamela Burdge, was pregnant with Tiffany but the information was not passed on or registered. Had Sellman been identified as the father and the extent of Burdge's childhood problems been known "in all probability care proceedings and action to protect Tiffany as soon as she was born" would have been implemented and her death might have been averted, the report said.
Burdge declined to comment outside court.
Her baby daughter died at King's College hospital in London on 1 November 2008 after Sellman had called an ambulance. He told the operator that Tiffany was losing colour and had gone "all floppy".
She was taken to the Kent and Sussex hospital in Tunbridge Wells before being transferred to London where a CT scan showed the extent of her injuries.
Sellman, previously of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was arrested on suspicion of her murder the next day.
Maidstone crown court was told that throughout the police investigation officers found Sellman could not give an accurate account of what had happened to the baby girl prior to his 999 call.
He told a number of people at least five different versions of events, the court heard.
During the six-week trial he denied both the murder and the manslaughter of his daughter, claiming that he had accidentally dropped her.
He was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Dad wants baby left on life support, so he doesn't get charged with homicide (Akron, Ohio)
May we ever so humbly suggest that dad JOHN JONES may not have the best interests of this child at heart? Given that Daddy Dearest is accused of violently shaking his 6-month daughter and breaking her arms and legs--and that she is given little chance of survival if taken off life support--Daddy could be facing a homicide charge if she's removed. So OF COURSE Daddy and his attorneys want to keep the baby alive AT ALL COST. A widdle bit of a conflict of interest here?
The mother wants nature to take its course and stop the torture of this child. This poor baby can't even open her eyes anymore--and that's after more than a month of living on machines. But of course Daddy, even though he is charged with felonious assault and was never married to the mother, has as much say in the matter as the mom. Even though this sh** has also caused the mother to lose "temporary" custody of her other children because of HIS actions. Disgusting.
http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-akron-ohio-court-baby-on-life-support,0,4704136.story
Parents Disagree About Keeping Baby on Life Support
Dave Nethers Fox 8 News Reporter
12:30 PM EDT, April 13, 2010
AKRON, Ohio - At stake are potentially two lives. The fate of 6-month-old Jada Ruiz, on life support at Akron Children's Hospital for more than a month, and that of her biological father, 17-year-old John Jones.
Jada has been given little hope of survival off of life support, suffering from brain injuries experts say are consistent with shaken baby syndrome, and broken bones in her arms and legs.
Jones, who is accused of causing the injuries, faces a potential homicide charge as an adult if Jada dies.
In court on Tuesday, attorneys for Jones are arguing to keep the infant alive at all cost. Attorneys for the baby's mother, 18-year-old Deja Ruiz, are trying to convince the court that it is in the baby's best interest to discontinue life support and let nature take its course.
Both parents arrived in the courtroom of Judge Bill Spicer, sitting at a table across from each other. Deja kept her head down trying not to look at Jones.
Pamella Hawkins, representing Jones, told the judge they do not support removal of Jada from life support. Attorneys for the mother say they support the removal of life support. A representative of the Summit County Prosecutor's Office told the court they could not take a position, as did a representative of Children Services.
Hawkins argues Summit County Juvenile Court, and not Judge Spicer, has exclusive jurisdiction in this case because Jones is currently charged as a juvenile. Judge Spicer says the juvenile court has told him they do not have jurisdiction. Despite her client being charged with felonious assault and felony child endangering, Hawkins said how the injuries occurred remains under investigation.
Children Services has filed for temporary custody of Jada and the couple's two other children. Hawkins told the jury that means it could be as long as two years before the process can return custody to either of the parents.
She said there is nothing in the juvenile court's language that speaks to the issue of the removal of life support.
Hawkins referred to the Aiden Stein case as a benchmark for such cases. However, because the father in this case is a juvenile, she said there are differences. Attorneys for the mother argued that because the child has not yet been legally determined to be an abused or neglected child, the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction.
Another major difference in this and the Stein case is that in the Stein case there were two parents who agreed. In this case, the parents disagree. Jones and Ruiz are also not married.
Attorneys for the mother say although the case deals with the decision to ultimately remove the child from life support, "the crux of the case is the health care of this child." Children services, she argued, is authorized and, in fact, mandated to provide health care for the child.
Jones' mother stood to tell the court she supports the decision to keep Jada on life support.
Nancy Flower, the attorney appointed by the juvenile court to represent Jada, also stood to tell the court that she had no position regarding the jurisdiction of the case.
A relative of Deja told the court she believes the doctors, and not the court, should make the decision.
Jada's great-grandmother told the court, "We can love her to the day she expires, but why should we take her through all of this pain? The baby is in God's hands. I just dont like seeing her like that.
"We can do this, but I can't see her laying up there all this time not able to even open her eyes."
Deja's mother addressed the court in tears saying, "I hate to see my baby suffer like that. The only thing I have left of Jada is her smile. She was the happiest baby I have ever seen, and I don't want to see her suffer like that. I'm hurt, and I just hope the judge makes the best decision for my baby."
Judge Spicer said he would take the matter into advisement.
The mother wants nature to take its course and stop the torture of this child. This poor baby can't even open her eyes anymore--and that's after more than a month of living on machines. But of course Daddy, even though he is charged with felonious assault and was never married to the mother, has as much say in the matter as the mom. Even though this sh** has also caused the mother to lose "temporary" custody of her other children because of HIS actions. Disgusting.
http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-akron-ohio-court-baby-on-life-support,0,4704136.story
Parents Disagree About Keeping Baby on Life Support
Dave Nethers Fox 8 News Reporter
12:30 PM EDT, April 13, 2010
AKRON, Ohio - At stake are potentially two lives. The fate of 6-month-old Jada Ruiz, on life support at Akron Children's Hospital for more than a month, and that of her biological father, 17-year-old John Jones.
Jada has been given little hope of survival off of life support, suffering from brain injuries experts say are consistent with shaken baby syndrome, and broken bones in her arms and legs.
Jones, who is accused of causing the injuries, faces a potential homicide charge as an adult if Jada dies.
In court on Tuesday, attorneys for Jones are arguing to keep the infant alive at all cost. Attorneys for the baby's mother, 18-year-old Deja Ruiz, are trying to convince the court that it is in the baby's best interest to discontinue life support and let nature take its course.
Both parents arrived in the courtroom of Judge Bill Spicer, sitting at a table across from each other. Deja kept her head down trying not to look at Jones.
Pamella Hawkins, representing Jones, told the judge they do not support removal of Jada from life support. Attorneys for the mother say they support the removal of life support. A representative of the Summit County Prosecutor's Office told the court they could not take a position, as did a representative of Children Services.
Hawkins argues Summit County Juvenile Court, and not Judge Spicer, has exclusive jurisdiction in this case because Jones is currently charged as a juvenile. Judge Spicer says the juvenile court has told him they do not have jurisdiction. Despite her client being charged with felonious assault and felony child endangering, Hawkins said how the injuries occurred remains under investigation.
Children Services has filed for temporary custody of Jada and the couple's two other children. Hawkins told the jury that means it could be as long as two years before the process can return custody to either of the parents.
She said there is nothing in the juvenile court's language that speaks to the issue of the removal of life support.
Hawkins referred to the Aiden Stein case as a benchmark for such cases. However, because the father in this case is a juvenile, she said there are differences. Attorneys for the mother argued that because the child has not yet been legally determined to be an abused or neglected child, the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction.
Another major difference in this and the Stein case is that in the Stein case there were two parents who agreed. In this case, the parents disagree. Jones and Ruiz are also not married.
Attorneys for the mother say although the case deals with the decision to ultimately remove the child from life support, "the crux of the case is the health care of this child." Children services, she argued, is authorized and, in fact, mandated to provide health care for the child.
Jones' mother stood to tell the court she supports the decision to keep Jada on life support.
Nancy Flower, the attorney appointed by the juvenile court to represent Jada, also stood to tell the court that she had no position regarding the jurisdiction of the case.
A relative of Deja told the court she believes the doctors, and not the court, should make the decision.
Jada's great-grandmother told the court, "We can love her to the day she expires, but why should we take her through all of this pain? The baby is in God's hands. I just dont like seeing her like that.
"We can do this, but I can't see her laying up there all this time not able to even open her eyes."
Deja's mother addressed the court in tears saying, "I hate to see my baby suffer like that. The only thing I have left of Jada is her smile. She was the happiest baby I have ever seen, and I don't want to see her suffer like that. I'm hurt, and I just hope the judge makes the best decision for my baby."
Judge Spicer said he would take the matter into advisement.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Dad charged with sexually abusing, killing 3-month-old daughter (Poughkeepsie, New York)
We've posted on dad WILLIAM C. TATE Jr. before. He has now been arraigned on 4 counts of murder, 2 counts of sexual assault against a child, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse. He's accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 3-month-old daughter at home.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=12231781
Father charged with sexually abusing, killing baby daughter
Associated Press - March 31, 2010 3:15 AM ET
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) - A 29-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 3-month-old daughter at his home in Dutchess County.
William C. Tate Jr. of Amenia was arraigned in Dutchess County Court Tuesday on four counts of murder, two counts of sexual assault against a child, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse.
His lawyer, Assistant Public Defender George Hazel, entered not guilty pleas.
Tate is accused of sexually assaulting baby Reese Tate and killing her with "blunt force trauma" on the night of Feb. 3 in their home. An autopsy showed the baby's injuries included a broken rib, swelling of the brain, and multiple internal injuries.
Tate is in jail without bail pending his next court appearance April 13.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=12231781
Father charged with sexually abusing, killing baby daughter
Associated Press - March 31, 2010 3:15 AM ET
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) - A 29-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 3-month-old daughter at his home in Dutchess County.
William C. Tate Jr. of Amenia was arraigned in Dutchess County Court Tuesday on four counts of murder, two counts of sexual assault against a child, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse.
His lawyer, Assistant Public Defender George Hazel, entered not guilty pleas.
Tate is accused of sexually assaulting baby Reese Tate and killing her with "blunt force trauma" on the night of Feb. 3 in their home. An autopsy showed the baby's injuries included a broken rib, swelling of the brain, and multiple internal injuries.
Tate is in jail without bail pending his next court appearance April 13.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Dad gets 12 years for assaulting 11-week-old son; baby is permanently blind, brain damaged (County Meath, Ireland)
UNNAMED DAD--no doubt just a poor thing with a lot of "built-up anger"--has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for assaulting is 11-week-old son. The baby is permanently blinded with serious brain damage.
Mamas, please give some thought as to who you employ as a babyminder. I don't care if it's the baby daddy; that doesn't make them particularly special or devoted. In fact, biological fathers are are the biggest risk group there is for violent baby shaking. As for this particular piece of rubbish? He's is a deadbeat heroin addict with 22 PREVIOUS convictions, including (among other things) "threatening and abusive behavior. Not a good candidate for taking care of babies and young children, okay?
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/man-given-12-years-for-shaking-baby-causing-brain-damage-451130.html
Man given 12 years for shaking baby, causing brain damage
23/03/2010 - 19:21:40
A drug addict who violently shook his 11-week-old son leaving him permanently blind and brain damaged has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The 25-year-old Meath resident, who cannot be named for legal reasons, initially told gardaà the child had fallen off some cushions he had put on the table but later admitted he had shaken and slapped him because of a “build-up of anger”.
Calling it one of the most tragic and sad cases he has come across, Judge Patrick McCartan said he wanted to impose a lengthy sentence to reflect the court’s “serious disgust” with the offence.
He said it was difficult to comprehend the suffering the child will have to endure as it grows up and that it was easier to appreciate the suffering which the child’s mother and grandmother are now enduring.
The child’s 20-year-old mother and grandmother have had to quit their jobs to become full-time carers following the assault.
“An innocent child has had its life utterly destroyed,” Judge McCartan commented.
“Even still it is not clear what actually happened. The accused gave the gardaà three different versions of events. What is clear is that at the end of what did occur the child was left with the most appalling injuries.”
He also rejected the idea that the attack was rooted in drug abuse, noting that the man was not a intravenous heroin user and had not smoked the drug in several days.
He continued: “The impact is immense and lifelong. (The child) was born bright, happy and vibrant; for his mother to now see him in this condition is very difficult.”
Taking into account the father’s remorse and guilty plea he adjourned the final three years on condition he undergoes probation supervision for two years on his release.
The father, who also has an address in Meath, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to the baby on February 7, 2009 at their Dublin home.
Detective Garda Aidan McGuire told prosecuting counsel, Ms Martina Baxter BL, that the child’s mother had left him with the father that afternoon. When she returned home at 2.30pm she found the child on the couch - bruised, limp and gasping for air.
The father claimed he was had fallen and hit his head on the coffee table. The baby was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
It had trouble breathing and had reduced consciousness. Evidence of old and new bleeding was found in the retinas and it became clear the child had a brain injury.
He spent a week in intensive care and five weeks in hospital in total. He had seizures while in hospital and it was discovered that he had “significant permanent brain abnormalities” consistent with non-accidental shaking.
A report read by the court stated the child had “significantly impaired visual abilities” and will have cognitive delays which will lead to learning difficulties in later life. He is eight to nine months behind the expected development of an infant and also has behavioural problems resulting in screaming fits.
The father was arrested and interviewed and initially claimed the child had fallen and hit his head off the table. He then admitted shaking the baby but denied slapping him.
Eventually he accepted he slapped him, but insisted he fell on the coffee table and was not thrown.
He said the child had been crying for about 20 minutes while he was having a phone conversation with his cousin about his drug addiction.
He said the conversation left him upset when he hung up the phone to tend to the child. He said he did not hit the baby because he was crying but because of “a build-up of anger”.
Det Gda McGuire said he had 22 previous convictions including, drug dealing, threatening and abusive behaviour and road traffic offences.
Defence counsel, Mr Conor Devally SC, said his client initially denied the allegations because he could not even admit them to himself.
He said he had been a heroin addict since 2007 and had failed to hold down a job.
He said he had an “up and down” relationship with the child’s mother and before the assault they had recently broken up and then reconciled. They are no longer together.
Mamas, please give some thought as to who you employ as a babyminder. I don't care if it's the baby daddy; that doesn't make them particularly special or devoted. In fact, biological fathers are are the biggest risk group there is for violent baby shaking. As for this particular piece of rubbish? He's is a deadbeat heroin addict with 22 PREVIOUS convictions, including (among other things) "threatening and abusive behavior. Not a good candidate for taking care of babies and young children, okay?
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/man-given-12-years-for-shaking-baby-causing-brain-damage-451130.html
Man given 12 years for shaking baby, causing brain damage
23/03/2010 - 19:21:40
A drug addict who violently shook his 11-week-old son leaving him permanently blind and brain damaged has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The 25-year-old Meath resident, who cannot be named for legal reasons, initially told gardaà the child had fallen off some cushions he had put on the table but later admitted he had shaken and slapped him because of a “build-up of anger”.
Calling it one of the most tragic and sad cases he has come across, Judge Patrick McCartan said he wanted to impose a lengthy sentence to reflect the court’s “serious disgust” with the offence.
He said it was difficult to comprehend the suffering the child will have to endure as it grows up and that it was easier to appreciate the suffering which the child’s mother and grandmother are now enduring.
The child’s 20-year-old mother and grandmother have had to quit their jobs to become full-time carers following the assault.
“An innocent child has had its life utterly destroyed,” Judge McCartan commented.
“Even still it is not clear what actually happened. The accused gave the gardaà three different versions of events. What is clear is that at the end of what did occur the child was left with the most appalling injuries.”
He also rejected the idea that the attack was rooted in drug abuse, noting that the man was not a intravenous heroin user and had not smoked the drug in several days.
He continued: “The impact is immense and lifelong. (The child) was born bright, happy and vibrant; for his mother to now see him in this condition is very difficult.”
Taking into account the father’s remorse and guilty plea he adjourned the final three years on condition he undergoes probation supervision for two years on his release.
The father, who also has an address in Meath, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to the baby on February 7, 2009 at their Dublin home.
Detective Garda Aidan McGuire told prosecuting counsel, Ms Martina Baxter BL, that the child’s mother had left him with the father that afternoon. When she returned home at 2.30pm she found the child on the couch - bruised, limp and gasping for air.
The father claimed he was had fallen and hit his head on the coffee table. The baby was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
It had trouble breathing and had reduced consciousness. Evidence of old and new bleeding was found in the retinas and it became clear the child had a brain injury.
He spent a week in intensive care and five weeks in hospital in total. He had seizures while in hospital and it was discovered that he had “significant permanent brain abnormalities” consistent with non-accidental shaking.
A report read by the court stated the child had “significantly impaired visual abilities” and will have cognitive delays which will lead to learning difficulties in later life. He is eight to nine months behind the expected development of an infant and also has behavioural problems resulting in screaming fits.
The father was arrested and interviewed and initially claimed the child had fallen and hit his head off the table. He then admitted shaking the baby but denied slapping him.
Eventually he accepted he slapped him, but insisted he fell on the coffee table and was not thrown.
He said the child had been crying for about 20 minutes while he was having a phone conversation with his cousin about his drug addiction.
He said the conversation left him upset when he hung up the phone to tend to the child. He said he did not hit the baby because he was crying but because of “a build-up of anger”.
Det Gda McGuire said he had 22 previous convictions including, drug dealing, threatening and abusive behaviour and road traffic offences.
Defence counsel, Mr Conor Devally SC, said his client initially denied the allegations because he could not even admit them to himself.
He said he had been a heroin addict since 2007 and had failed to hold down a job.
He said he had an “up and down” relationship with the child’s mother and before the assault they had recently broken up and then reconciled. They are no longer together.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Dad charged with 1st-degree assault against 22-month-old son; boy in critical condition (Joplin, Missouri)
Dad MICHAEL MCPHERSON has been charged with 1st-degree assault against his 22-month-old son. The boy has severe head injuries and is in critical condition. This daddy seems to be a two-time loser: notice that he was convicted of child endangering back in 2004 and served 3 years in prison. Too bad this guy was ever allowed around anybody under 21 again.
http://www.koamtv.com/global/story.asp?s=12176648
Father charged with child abuse
Updated: Mar 20, 2010 6:44 PM CDT
Reported by Mike Pache
A Joplin man has been arrested and charged with first degree assault.
The Jasper County Prosecutor is accusing 30 year old Michael McPherson of causing injuries to his 22-month old son.
Officials say the child was rushed to saint johns regional medical center for severe head injuries and rushed into surgery.
Officials say the child remains in critical condition.
In 2004, McPherson was convicted of endangering the welfare of a child.
He was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
http://www.koamtv.com/global/story.asp?s=12176648
Father charged with child abuse
Updated: Mar 20, 2010 6:44 PM CDT
Reported by Mike Pache
A Joplin man has been arrested and charged with first degree assault.
The Jasper County Prosecutor is accusing 30 year old Michael McPherson of causing injuries to his 22-month old son.
Officials say the child was rushed to saint johns regional medical center for severe head injuries and rushed into surgery.
Officials say the child remains in critical condition.
In 2004, McPherson was convicted of endangering the welfare of a child.
He was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Babysitting dad pleads innocent in death of 5-month-old son (Bennington, Vermont)
Dad RUSS C. VAN VLECK has pleaded innocent to felony manslaughter in the death of his 5-month-old son. Dad was babysitting when the baby developed blood on the brain from a head trauma and subsequent breathing problems. Note that charges were dropped from 2nd-degree murder to manslaughter, though the coroner ruled that the baby's death was a homicide. Also notice that Dad was released WITHOUT BAIL pending his trial.
Contrast this to the Columbus, Ohio mom cited in the one of the posts below who is being held on $1 million bond for failure to protect from the stepfather's abuse.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100320/NEWS02/3200333/1003/NEWS02
Man pleads innocent in baby's death
By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: March 20, 2010
BENNINGTON – An Arlington man pleaded innocent to a felony charge of manslaughter after police said they believed he had caused the death of his 5-month-old son in October.
Russ C. Van Vleck, 27, appeared in Bennington District Court on Friday with family members and his attorney, William Wright. Van Vleck was released without bail pending his trial.
"It's pretty discouraging for the family. Having to face criminal charges now is an opportunity for us to show that what really happened is … something that was created by nature and circumstances beyond anyone's control," Wright said after Van Vleck's arraignment.
In an affidavit, Vermont State Police Sgt. Robert Patten said Colin R. Van Vleck had been pronounced dead at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington on Oct. 3 just after midnight.
Russ Van Vleck had been caring for his son Oct. 2. The child's mother, Lyndsey Van Vleck, had gone to a birthday party in Manchester because her son, who had been sick earlier in the week, had seemed to be feeling better, she told police.
In a statement to police, Russ Van Vleck said he had laid Colin down on the same couch on which Russ was sitting. About 20 minutes later, Russ Van Vleck estimated, "he discovered that Colin was in trouble."
Russ Van Vleck called emergency responders sometime between about 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. because it appeared Colin wasn't breathing, according to the affidavit.
Police said Russ Van Vleck told them he attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation as instructed by the 911 operator but believed it wasn't helping.
Staff at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center told police that Colin was unresponsive for about 90 minutes after he reached the hospital. Around midnight, medical personnel were able to find a pulse but the likelihood of brain damage was very high and the family chose "to refrain from having Colin's life artificially sustained."
As police investigated Colin's death, they found that he had been sick for several days before his death. He also had a deformity to his head because of complications from his birth and both parents said they had a history of sudden infant death syndrome in their families.
Vermont Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Steven Shapiro, however, found that Colin had been a normal, healthy child and that Colin's cranial deformity did not contribute to his death.
Patten said he had spoken to Shapiro on Oct. 3 after Shapiro performed an autopsy and determined Colin's death was "suspicious."
"Dr. Shapiro would convey that his findings revealed that Colin had blood on his brain, an indicator of trauma to the head. Dr. Shapiro indicated the trauma causing Colin's death was believed to have occurred within a 24-hour period prior to his death with the likelihood greater that the trauma occurred closer to the end of the time frame than the start," Patten said.
Colin's death was ruled a homicide cause by mistreatment by others.
The affidavit gives no indication that Russ Van Vleck had abused Colin in the past or that he had confessed any mistreatment to police. However, Lyndsey Van Vleck told an inquest panel at the Bennington District Court on Jan. 5 that Colin "was doing fine when she left her home" Oct. 2.
On March 12, Shapiro gave police an affidavit that said Colin's injuries would have caused an immediate change in his behavior.
Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage asked Judge David Suntag to place a $25,000 bail on Russ Van Vleck on Friday but Suntag said he couldn't impose bail on a defendant who showed no indications that he was a risk of flight.
Wright argued that Russ Van Vleck had been born and raised in Vermont, graduated from Arlington Memorial High School and worked for his father in the area.
According to Wright, Van Vleck was among the National Guard members who had been scheduled to be deployed last year but Van Vleck's commanding officer had reclassified him because of Colin's death.
In the affidavit, police said they believed Russ Van Vleck should be charged with second-degree murder. Marthage said she had decided to file a manslaughter charge because there was a different level of proof required.
"There isn't adequate information in the affidavit to support (the second-degree murder) charge at this time. There's some more information we need to gather from various people," she said.
According to Marthage, the amount of time between Colin's death and an arrest in the case was because the "nature of the investigation has been somewhat difficult" involving the wait for results from the medical examiner's office and speaking to witnesses about sensitive topics.
If convicted of the charge against him, Russ Van Vleck would face a one-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
A conference has been scheduled at 8:30 a.m. April 7 in Van Vleck's case.
Contrast this to the Columbus, Ohio mom cited in the one of the posts below who is being held on $1 million bond for failure to protect from the stepfather's abuse.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100320/NEWS02/3200333/1003/NEWS02
Man pleads innocent in baby's death
By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: March 20, 2010
BENNINGTON – An Arlington man pleaded innocent to a felony charge of manslaughter after police said they believed he had caused the death of his 5-month-old son in October.
Russ C. Van Vleck, 27, appeared in Bennington District Court on Friday with family members and his attorney, William Wright. Van Vleck was released without bail pending his trial.
"It's pretty discouraging for the family. Having to face criminal charges now is an opportunity for us to show that what really happened is … something that was created by nature and circumstances beyond anyone's control," Wright said after Van Vleck's arraignment.
In an affidavit, Vermont State Police Sgt. Robert Patten said Colin R. Van Vleck had been pronounced dead at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington on Oct. 3 just after midnight.
Russ Van Vleck had been caring for his son Oct. 2. The child's mother, Lyndsey Van Vleck, had gone to a birthday party in Manchester because her son, who had been sick earlier in the week, had seemed to be feeling better, she told police.
In a statement to police, Russ Van Vleck said he had laid Colin down on the same couch on which Russ was sitting. About 20 minutes later, Russ Van Vleck estimated, "he discovered that Colin was in trouble."
Russ Van Vleck called emergency responders sometime between about 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. because it appeared Colin wasn't breathing, according to the affidavit.
Police said Russ Van Vleck told them he attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation as instructed by the 911 operator but believed it wasn't helping.
Staff at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center told police that Colin was unresponsive for about 90 minutes after he reached the hospital. Around midnight, medical personnel were able to find a pulse but the likelihood of brain damage was very high and the family chose "to refrain from having Colin's life artificially sustained."
As police investigated Colin's death, they found that he had been sick for several days before his death. He also had a deformity to his head because of complications from his birth and both parents said they had a history of sudden infant death syndrome in their families.
Vermont Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Steven Shapiro, however, found that Colin had been a normal, healthy child and that Colin's cranial deformity did not contribute to his death.
Patten said he had spoken to Shapiro on Oct. 3 after Shapiro performed an autopsy and determined Colin's death was "suspicious."
"Dr. Shapiro would convey that his findings revealed that Colin had blood on his brain, an indicator of trauma to the head. Dr. Shapiro indicated the trauma causing Colin's death was believed to have occurred within a 24-hour period prior to his death with the likelihood greater that the trauma occurred closer to the end of the time frame than the start," Patten said.
Colin's death was ruled a homicide cause by mistreatment by others.
The affidavit gives no indication that Russ Van Vleck had abused Colin in the past or that he had confessed any mistreatment to police. However, Lyndsey Van Vleck told an inquest panel at the Bennington District Court on Jan. 5 that Colin "was doing fine when she left her home" Oct. 2.
On March 12, Shapiro gave police an affidavit that said Colin's injuries would have caused an immediate change in his behavior.
Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage asked Judge David Suntag to place a $25,000 bail on Russ Van Vleck on Friday but Suntag said he couldn't impose bail on a defendant who showed no indications that he was a risk of flight.
Wright argued that Russ Van Vleck had been born and raised in Vermont, graduated from Arlington Memorial High School and worked for his father in the area.
According to Wright, Van Vleck was among the National Guard members who had been scheduled to be deployed last year but Van Vleck's commanding officer had reclassified him because of Colin's death.
In the affidavit, police said they believed Russ Van Vleck should be charged with second-degree murder. Marthage said she had decided to file a manslaughter charge because there was a different level of proof required.
"There isn't adequate information in the affidavit to support (the second-degree murder) charge at this time. There's some more information we need to gather from various people," she said.
According to Marthage, the amount of time between Colin's death and an arrest in the case was because the "nature of the investigation has been somewhat difficult" involving the wait for results from the medical examiner's office and speaking to witnesses about sensitive topics.
If convicted of the charge against him, Russ Van Vleck would face a one-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
A conference has been scheduled at 8:30 a.m. April 7 in Van Vleck's case.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Dad ordered to trial in beating death of 3-month-old son (North Versailles, Pennsylvania)
Dad MICHAEL LEWIS has been ordered to trial on a homicide charge in the death of his 3-month-old son. It appears Dad was babysitting while high on a whole slew of drugs, and beat the baby to death. The infant died from blunt force trauma to the head. The police officer called to the scene says that Daddy Dearest also resisted arrest and assaulted HIM. Whadda nice guy.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042310-100.stm
Father ordered to trial in infant's death
Friday, March 12, 2010
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A North Versailles man today was ordered to trial on charges he beat to death his infant son last month.
However, some of the related charges against Michael Lewis, 54, were dismissed by District Judge David Barton, or withdrawn by the prosecution.
He now faces one count of homicide.
The suspect called 911 on the evening of Feb. 7 while the 3-month-old baby's mother, Heather Cutruzzolla, had been on an errand.
Ms. Cutruzzolla, 26, returned home while Mr. Lewis was on the phone and found her son, DeCarlos Lewis, unresponsive in his crib.
At a preliminary hearing this morning, an advocate from the Allegheny County office of Children, Youth and Families testified she interviewed Mr. Lewis this month at the county jail, and he told her he struck the baby twice on the back of the head.
Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pellegrini argued after the hearing that the admission by Mr. Lewis is inconsistent with the number of injuries discovered during an autopsy on the child.
Assistant Public Defender Robert Foreman successfully argued against charges of child endangerment, resisting arrest and aggravated assault against a police officer.
North Versailles police Officer Thomas Nee testified today that he had been assaulted, though not injured, by Mr. Lewis during his arrest at the scene.
When Mr. Lewis summoned police, he reported that he had taken a lot of pills, including Ambien, Flexoral and Neurontin.
The suspect was taken to UPMC McKeesport, where he was treated for the drug overdose.
The baby also was taken to UPMC McKeesport, where he was pronounced dead at 7:41 p.m. that day.
The medical examiner determined that the child died of blunt force trauma of the head.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042310-100.stm#ixzz0hzZkzmmE
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042310-100.stm
Father ordered to trial in infant's death
Friday, March 12, 2010
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A North Versailles man today was ordered to trial on charges he beat to death his infant son last month.
However, some of the related charges against Michael Lewis, 54, were dismissed by District Judge David Barton, or withdrawn by the prosecution.
He now faces one count of homicide.
The suspect called 911 on the evening of Feb. 7 while the 3-month-old baby's mother, Heather Cutruzzolla, had been on an errand.
Ms. Cutruzzolla, 26, returned home while Mr. Lewis was on the phone and found her son, DeCarlos Lewis, unresponsive in his crib.
At a preliminary hearing this morning, an advocate from the Allegheny County office of Children, Youth and Families testified she interviewed Mr. Lewis this month at the county jail, and he told her he struck the baby twice on the back of the head.
Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pellegrini argued after the hearing that the admission by Mr. Lewis is inconsistent with the number of injuries discovered during an autopsy on the child.
Assistant Public Defender Robert Foreman successfully argued against charges of child endangerment, resisting arrest and aggravated assault against a police officer.
North Versailles police Officer Thomas Nee testified today that he had been assaulted, though not injured, by Mr. Lewis during his arrest at the scene.
When Mr. Lewis summoned police, he reported that he had taken a lot of pills, including Ambien, Flexoral and Neurontin.
The suspect was taken to UPMC McKeesport, where he was treated for the drug overdose.
The baby also was taken to UPMC McKeesport, where he was pronounced dead at 7:41 p.m. that day.
The medical examiner determined that the child died of blunt force trauma of the head.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10071/1042310-100.stm#ixzz0hzZkzmmE
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Dad arrested for fracturing skull of 2-month-old daughter (Linn Creek, Missouri)
Dad CALEB LUNDGREN has been charged with 1st-degree assault for injuries inflicted on his 2-month-old daughter. The baby has a fractured skull and other signs of bruising.
http://www.ktts.com/tabid/1666/xmid/42144/Default.aspx
Man from Camden County arrested for Child Abuse
The Camden County Sheriff's department say it was a tip from a Columbia hospital which has led to the arrest of Caleb Lundgren from Linn Creek with a child abuse investigation involving a 2 month-old girl. Investigators say Lake Regional Health Systems said the infant was flown in with an apparent skull fracture and other signs of bruising. Lundgren, the baby's father, is charged with first degree assault with a bond set at $250,000. A court date has been set for March 10th.
http://www.ktts.com/tabid/1666/xmid/42144/Default.aspx
Man from Camden County arrested for Child Abuse
The Camden County Sheriff's department say it was a tip from a Columbia hospital which has led to the arrest of Caleb Lundgren from Linn Creek with a child abuse investigation involving a 2 month-old girl. Investigators say Lake Regional Health Systems said the infant was flown in with an apparent skull fracture and other signs of bruising. Lundgren, the baby's father, is charged with first degree assault with a bond set at $250,000. A court date has been set for March 10th.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Mom of baby abused by father pained by son's struggles (Las Vegas, Nevada)
My heart goes out to this mom. Like a lot of mothers these days, she was forced to work very long hours (14 hours a day) even with a 3-month-old infant, just so she could support her family and send money home. Meanwhile, she was saddled with a deadbeat boyfriend, ANDREW MENDOZA, the father of her son, whom she trusted to take care of the baby in her absence. Mothers are encouraged to believe that these days, by both the fathers rights ideologues and gender-neutral feminists. That fathers can assume a mother's place while mothers--even mothers of newborns-- take on everything else in the world, whether it's fighting a war overseas or earning all the household income.
What moms are really taking on is exhaustion and heartbreak. All the pro-daddy ideology has just become another way to use, exploit, and spit out moms. It goes without saying that American women STILL don't have decent maternity leaves, much less paid ones, so they can take care of their own babies. No, we are forced to dump them on somebody else so we can keep at the job. Whether it's daycare or all the unemployed daddies and boyfriends out there who have been drafted into "caregiving." Sitters and dads/boyfriends have MUCH higher rates of severe or even fatal child abuse. The major child abuse studies all say this (check out some of the studies posted here at Dastardly). We just don't want to face it.
Those very precious first few months can never be relived once they are gone. A life that is taken can never be regained. Let me say it plainly. BABIES NEED THEIR MOTHERS. Not Daddy. Not a babysitter. And certainly not Mom's current live-in boyfriend.
It is a societal CRIME that the mother of a 3-month-old infant had to work 14 hours a day. She should have had the option of staying home. We can't afford it you say? Can we afford life-long medical care for this baby? Because that's what he's going to need now.
Let's face facts. A lot of these testosterone-fueled young men can't deal with infants. They're not primed by nature nor by environment with the patience or nurturing skills. Peruse Dastardly Dads, and you'll find hundreds of cases like this. Dads who are just not ready to be caretakers on any long-term basis, or even as short-term babysitters. And what happened here is too often the case. Babies and young children who are killed or severely injured and/or disabled by "frustrated" fathers who just couldn't deal with crying and the like.
http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12094548
Mother of abused baby pained by watching son struggle
Posted: March 5, 2010 11:26 PM CST
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) - A devastated mother is breaking her silence, as she tries to cope with a life lesson that has left her baby with life long damage. She says her biggest mistake was trusting the infant's father.
21-year-old Ashley Silverberg says she was on an extended stay across state lines in Arizona when the baby's father lost his mind.
Andrew Mendoza faces 11 different felony charges, ranging from child abuse to child neglect, for allegedly biting, pinching, slapping and squeezing his three month old son. That infant remains in critical condition in intensive care at University Medical Center. Some of the injuries to the baby include severe bite marks, lacerations to the liver and a fractured skull.
Silverberg says her son has been taken off of life-support but will likely never recover from severe brain damage. According to her, doctors will perform a tracheotomy in the coming days, inserting a feeding tube in the baby's stomach. She doesn't know if her son, Angel Alexander Mendoza, will ever be able to talk, walk or do anything on his own.
"I loved my son so much. I thought I had the perfect match, a boy and a girl. Now my son needs 24 hour 7 day a week care, and my daughter is in a foster home," said Ashley Silverberg, who says she's still trying to grasp with what she calls a "living nightmare".
Silverberg says she traveled to Arizona to spend some time with family and was working 14 hour days to send money back home. She describes nothing but pure shock when Child Protective Services called and told her what had happened to her son. She says she knew the baby's father wasn't perfect but never expected he was capable of something so heinous.
"I never thought he would touch my son, or I wouldn't have left him," said Silverberg. "I'm mad. I'm so angry. How could he hurt my son, his own son."
Silverberg is now reaching out to all young mothers, hoping someone else can learn from her reality. Looking back at the situation, she says she would've taken the baby with her to Arizona and wouldn't have left the father unsupervised.
"This should've never happened. It's wrong for anyone anywhere to harm a child, especially their own, a three-month-old baby. He didn't deserve this, and now he's laying in a hospital bed by himself," Silverberg went on to say.
This young mother explains overwhelming medical bills and other expenses as a direct result of the unthinkable abuse to her son.
An account has been set up in the name of Angel Alexander Mendoza at Amalgamated Bank. The account number is 180010173.
What moms are really taking on is exhaustion and heartbreak. All the pro-daddy ideology has just become another way to use, exploit, and spit out moms. It goes without saying that American women STILL don't have decent maternity leaves, much less paid ones, so they can take care of their own babies. No, we are forced to dump them on somebody else so we can keep at the job. Whether it's daycare or all the unemployed daddies and boyfriends out there who have been drafted into "caregiving." Sitters and dads/boyfriends have MUCH higher rates of severe or even fatal child abuse. The major child abuse studies all say this (check out some of the studies posted here at Dastardly). We just don't want to face it.
Those very precious first few months can never be relived once they are gone. A life that is taken can never be regained. Let me say it plainly. BABIES NEED THEIR MOTHERS. Not Daddy. Not a babysitter. And certainly not Mom's current live-in boyfriend.
It is a societal CRIME that the mother of a 3-month-old infant had to work 14 hours a day. She should have had the option of staying home. We can't afford it you say? Can we afford life-long medical care for this baby? Because that's what he's going to need now.
Let's face facts. A lot of these testosterone-fueled young men can't deal with infants. They're not primed by nature nor by environment with the patience or nurturing skills. Peruse Dastardly Dads, and you'll find hundreds of cases like this. Dads who are just not ready to be caretakers on any long-term basis, or even as short-term babysitters. And what happened here is too often the case. Babies and young children who are killed or severely injured and/or disabled by "frustrated" fathers who just couldn't deal with crying and the like.
http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12094548
Mother of abused baby pained by watching son struggle
Posted: March 5, 2010 11:26 PM CST
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) - A devastated mother is breaking her silence, as she tries to cope with a life lesson that has left her baby with life long damage. She says her biggest mistake was trusting the infant's father.
21-year-old Ashley Silverberg says she was on an extended stay across state lines in Arizona when the baby's father lost his mind.
Andrew Mendoza faces 11 different felony charges, ranging from child abuse to child neglect, for allegedly biting, pinching, slapping and squeezing his three month old son. That infant remains in critical condition in intensive care at University Medical Center. Some of the injuries to the baby include severe bite marks, lacerations to the liver and a fractured skull.
Silverberg says her son has been taken off of life-support but will likely never recover from severe brain damage. According to her, doctors will perform a tracheotomy in the coming days, inserting a feeding tube in the baby's stomach. She doesn't know if her son, Angel Alexander Mendoza, will ever be able to talk, walk or do anything on his own.
"I loved my son so much. I thought I had the perfect match, a boy and a girl. Now my son needs 24 hour 7 day a week care, and my daughter is in a foster home," said Ashley Silverberg, who says she's still trying to grasp with what she calls a "living nightmare".
Silverberg says she traveled to Arizona to spend some time with family and was working 14 hour days to send money back home. She describes nothing but pure shock when Child Protective Services called and told her what had happened to her son. She says she knew the baby's father wasn't perfect but never expected he was capable of something so heinous.
"I never thought he would touch my son, or I wouldn't have left him," said Silverberg. "I'm mad. I'm so angry. How could he hurt my son, his own son."
Silverberg is now reaching out to all young mothers, hoping someone else can learn from her reality. Looking back at the situation, she says she would've taken the baby with her to Arizona and wouldn't have left the father unsupervised.
"This should've never happened. It's wrong for anyone anywhere to harm a child, especially their own, a three-month-old baby. He didn't deserve this, and now he's laying in a hospital bed by himself," Silverberg went on to say.
This young mother explains overwhelming medical bills and other expenses as a direct result of the unthinkable abuse to her son.
An account has been set up in the name of Angel Alexander Mendoza at Amalgamated Bank. The account number is 180010173.
Babysitting dad charged with aggravated battery in shaking of infant son; baby in critical condition (Tinley Park, Illinois)
Dad JASON SCHUIT has been charged with aggravated assault against his infant son. It appears the baby was violently shaken, and developed breathing problems. He was diagnosed with bleeding on the brain, rib fractures, and severely damaged retinas--all classic symptoms of infant shaking. The baby is now on life support in critical condition. He has minimal brain activity, is hooked to a ventilator and a feeding tube, and has no independent movement. The prognosis for recovery is very poor.
Like many (if not most) shaken baby cases, this one involves a babysitting dad who most likely got "frustrated" and took out his anger on a defenseless baby.
http://www.southtownstar.com/neighborhoodstar/tinleypark/2087029,030710tpshaking.article
Tinley Park infant in critical condition
March 6, 2010
BY BECKY SCHLIKERMAN
An infant is on life support, hanging on to his life, and authorities said his father is to blame.
Jason Schuit, 30, 7311 Sandalwood Drive, Tinley Park, was charged Thursday with aggravated battery to a child after shaking his 2 1 / 2 -month-old son Dec. 19, Tinley Park police said in a news release.
The infant, now 5 months old, is in critical condition at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, authorities said . He has minimal brain activity, is connected to a ventilator and a feeding tube and has no independent movement, according to court records.
Friday, a judge set bail for Schuit at $150,000 and ordered him to stay away from his home and from his two children - the injured boy and his 3-year-old brother, Cook County state's attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.
Court records show Schuit was home alone with the baby on Dec. 19. About 7 p.m., he called 911 and said the child was not breathing, court records show.
The child was taken to Palos Community Hospital then transported to Hope Children's Hospital, where he was diagnosed with bleeding in his brain, rib fractures and severely damaged retinas, court records show.
"Doctors, after extensive testing, determined that the infant had been shaken," police said. They offered no motive for the abuse.
A child in this condition has an "extraordinarily low chance" of recovery and an "extraordinarily high chance" of death, said Dr. Steven Salzman, an trauma surgeon at Christ Medical Center. But Salzman said he has not treated Schuit's child.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has investigated the incident and found allegations of abuse against Schuit and the child's mother, spokesman Kendall Marlowe said.
The mother has not been charged and Simonton said she couldn't comment on whether she might face charges. The SouthtownStar is not naming the mother because she has not been charged.
The injured infant's 3-year-old brother is in the care of relatives, Marlowe said.
DCFS had no previous contact with the family, Marlowe said.
Schuit is next scheduled in court March 18.
Several of the Schuits' neighbors declined to comment Friday, and no one answered the door at the Schuits' apartment
Like many (if not most) shaken baby cases, this one involves a babysitting dad who most likely got "frustrated" and took out his anger on a defenseless baby.
http://www.southtownstar.com/neighborhoodstar/tinleypark/2087029,030710tpshaking.article
Tinley Park infant in critical condition
March 6, 2010
BY BECKY SCHLIKERMAN
An infant is on life support, hanging on to his life, and authorities said his father is to blame.
Jason Schuit, 30, 7311 Sandalwood Drive, Tinley Park, was charged Thursday with aggravated battery to a child after shaking his 2 1 / 2 -month-old son Dec. 19, Tinley Park police said in a news release.
The infant, now 5 months old, is in critical condition at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, authorities said . He has minimal brain activity, is connected to a ventilator and a feeding tube and has no independent movement, according to court records.
Friday, a judge set bail for Schuit at $150,000 and ordered him to stay away from his home and from his two children - the injured boy and his 3-year-old brother, Cook County state's attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.
Court records show Schuit was home alone with the baby on Dec. 19. About 7 p.m., he called 911 and said the child was not breathing, court records show.
The child was taken to Palos Community Hospital then transported to Hope Children's Hospital, where he was diagnosed with bleeding in his brain, rib fractures and severely damaged retinas, court records show.
"Doctors, after extensive testing, determined that the infant had been shaken," police said. They offered no motive for the abuse.
A child in this condition has an "extraordinarily low chance" of recovery and an "extraordinarily high chance" of death, said Dr. Steven Salzman, an trauma surgeon at Christ Medical Center. But Salzman said he has not treated Schuit's child.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has investigated the incident and found allegations of abuse against Schuit and the child's mother, spokesman Kendall Marlowe said.
The mother has not been charged and Simonton said she couldn't comment on whether she might face charges. The SouthtownStar is not naming the mother because she has not been charged.
The injured infant's 3-year-old brother is in the care of relatives, Marlowe said.
DCFS had no previous contact with the family, Marlowe said.
Schuit is next scheduled in court March 18.
Several of the Schuits' neighbors declined to comment Friday, and no one answered the door at the Schuits' apartment
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Babysitting dad admits throwing baby girl onto bed, fracturing her skull (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Dad ANTHONY GOODALL has pleaded guilty to felony malicious treatment of a child. It seems that Daddy Dearest threw his 8 1/2 month old daughter onto a bed, fracturing her skull. There was evidence of previous injuries, such as broken bones in various stages of healing, as well. Once again this is a case of an apparently unemployed daddy drafted into babysitting duty when he had no business being anywhere around infants or small children. Too bad mommies are no longer allowed to be mommies, but are forced to work and support deadbeat idiots like this guy.
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/86289082.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Father admits throwing baby girl onto bed, fracturing her skull
Last update: March 3, 2010 - 7:44 PM
The father of an 8 1/2-month-old girl who was hospitalized in February with a skull fracture and other broken bones in various stages of healing, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the felony charge of malicious punishment of a child.
Anthony Goodall Jr., 21, will be sentenced April 20 by Ramsey County District Judge Joanne Smith.
According to the criminal complaint, the baby's mother brought the girl to St. Paul Children's Hospital on Feb. 11 after she noticed swelling and a "squishy" feeling on the baby's head while feeding her. The mother told police she had left the child with Goodall when she went to work Feb. 8.
Doctors later found the girl had healing fractures in her collarbone and in both legs. Goodall admitted he threw the baby onto a bed "with such force that she struck the bedroom wall with her head," the complaint said.
The baby's prognosis was not clear.
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/86289082.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Father admits throwing baby girl onto bed, fracturing her skull
Last update: March 3, 2010 - 7:44 PM
The father of an 8 1/2-month-old girl who was hospitalized in February with a skull fracture and other broken bones in various stages of healing, pleaded guilty Wednesday to the felony charge of malicious punishment of a child.
Anthony Goodall Jr., 21, will be sentenced April 20 by Ramsey County District Judge Joanne Smith.
According to the criminal complaint, the baby's mother brought the girl to St. Paul Children's Hospital on Feb. 11 after she noticed swelling and a "squishy" feeling on the baby's head while feeding her. The mother told police she had left the child with Goodall when she went to work Feb. 8.
Doctors later found the girl had healing fractures in her collarbone and in both legs. Goodall admitted he threw the baby onto a bed "with such force that she struck the bedroom wall with her head," the complaint said.
The baby's prognosis was not clear.
Infant critical; father charged in beating (Baltimore, Maryland)
Here is a more accurate account of a case we reported on just recently of a Baltimore infant whose skull was fractured after his father, DARYL TAYLOR, hit him. Earlier accounts were terribly misleading and credited the fractured skull to this "parents' fight"--which was not the case at all.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-md.ci.child03mar03,0,5907734.story
Infant critical; father charged in beating
March 3, 2010
A 2-month-old boy was in critical condition at a Washington hospital Tuesday with skull fractures after his 19-year-old father hit him while the infant was in his mother's arms, police said.
Detective Kevin Hagan, a Baltimore police spokesman, confirmed that police were called for a domestic complaint about 11:10 p.m. Monday at the boy's home in the 2900 block of Spellman Road in Cherry Hill.
According to charging documents, Daryl Taylor broke through the bathroom door and struck the mother and baby with a closed fist after the mother locked herself and the child inside.
The boy suffered fractures to the right side of his head and the mother had a cut lip, police said.
Hagan said the victims were taken to Harbor Hospital, and the boy was transported to Children's National Medical Center because of a lack of available beds at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Court records show Daryl Taylor was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and second-degree child abuse, resisting arrest and related charges. Police said he refused to get into a police cruiser and kicked and tried to pull away.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-md.ci.child03mar03,0,5907734.story
Infant critical; father charged in beating
March 3, 2010
A 2-month-old boy was in critical condition at a Washington hospital Tuesday with skull fractures after his 19-year-old father hit him while the infant was in his mother's arms, police said.
Detective Kevin Hagan, a Baltimore police spokesman, confirmed that police were called for a domestic complaint about 11:10 p.m. Monday at the boy's home in the 2900 block of Spellman Road in Cherry Hill.
According to charging documents, Daryl Taylor broke through the bathroom door and struck the mother and baby with a closed fist after the mother locked herself and the child inside.
The boy suffered fractures to the right side of his head and the mother had a cut lip, police said.
Hagan said the victims were taken to Harbor Hospital, and the boy was transported to Children's National Medical Center because of a lack of available beds at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Court records show Daryl Taylor was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and second-degree child abuse, resisting arrest and related charges. Police said he refused to get into a police cruiser and kicked and tried to pull away.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Dad found guilty of felony homicide in death of 5-month-old daughter; dad was babysitting while mom was working (Palmyra, Virginia)
Dad SAMUEL BEE JONES III has been found guilty of felony homicide in the shaking death of his 5-month-old daughter. But it's been recommended that he get just a 10-year prison sentence. Wow, that shows how tough we are on baby killers, doesn't it?
Seems Daddy was babysitting four children on the day of the "incident." Of course, Mom was working. Another one of those stay-at-home dads (Translation: unemployed abuser-loser dad)?
All those kids were just "driving him crazy," don't you know! Daddy apparently got "frustrated" (that's the standard euphemistic adjective for describing killer daddies) when the baby got sick and vomited, so he shook her. Right. Like that's what we do with sick babies. But Daddy couldn't help it! He was "upset" and he wanted to "shut her up"!
Even though the baby developed immediate breathing problems from the shaking, this @$$wipe did not seek medical attention. Not till Mom got back from work and noticed that the baby was "limp and unresponsive" was medical help sought. And that was Mom who did that, not Dad. The cause of death has been identified as blunt force trauma to the head.
Mamas, please try to find another source of childcare besides an unemployed abuser-loser dad. This type has the highest incident rate for shaken baby syndrome. It's a fact. Check out the shaken baby tab below for other cases and for access to the research.
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/fluvanna_man_found_guilty_in_childs_death/51775/
Fluvanna man found guilty in child’s death
By Tasha Kates
Published: February 2, 2010
PALMYRA — The father of a deceased 5-month-old girl who showed signs of shaken baby syndrome has been convicted of killing her.
A Fluvanna County jury convicted Samuel Bee Jones III on Tuesday of felony homicide and recommended a 10-year prison sentence. Jones was found not guilty of child abuse.
Authorities have said Jones shook Arianna Gibson-Jones on Oct. 5, 2008. Arianna was pronounced dead Oct. 8, 2008.
Jones testified Tuesday that he was caring for Arianna and three other children on the day of the incident. He said that Arianna seemed sick and refused the bottle. Although she drank a tiny bit around noon, Jones testified, she soon vomited it up. Jones said in court that the baby vomited a frothy yellow substance while he was cleaning her in the bath.
“She was gagging and gasping for air,” Jones testified. “I shook her a few times, trying to get it out.”
Jones said Arianna started breathing again after the incident and he continued to clean her before putting her in her bassinet. Arianna’s mother, Shernita Gibson, testified Monday that she sought help for her baby after she picked up the limp, unresponsive child.
Jones testified Tuesday that he was trying to help Arianna when he shook her. He said he didn’t know CPR and didn’t try to seek medical attention or ask Gibson’s advice when she called during a break at work not long after the incident.
Witnesses said Jones told Gibson during that phone call that the children were “driving him crazy.” Jones testified Tuesday that he was merely kidding. Francis C. Terwilliger, assistant commonwealth’s attorney, said in court that he believed Jones was frustrated by caring for all the children.
“He intended to shake her, to shut her up, because he was upset,” Terwilliger said in court.
A medical examiner testified Tuesday that Arianna’s cause of death was “blunt force injury to the head.” He said that class of injury could be caused by an object, a baby falling or being shaken. Other medical personnel who worked with Arianna testified that her symptoms were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
However, defense attorney David Randle said during his closing arguments that one of the experts testified that nausea can be a sign of a head injury. Witnesses said in court Monday that Arianna slid out of her carrier the day before but seemed fine after her mother soothed her.
“The mother could have just as easily done this as the father,” Randle said in court.
Medical personnel testified that it was not likely that the Oct. 4, 2008, carrier incident was the cause of Arianna’s head injuries.
Authorities mentioned an earlier incident during Monday’s testimony when Arianna had rib and leg injuries.
Regarding the jury’s decision to convict on one charge and acquit on another, Terwilliger said in court it’s possible the jury thought the child abuse count referred to Arianna’s previous injuries. Randle said in court that there wasn’t evidence presented to show who caused those injuries to the baby.
“If we appeal, I’ll raise those issues on appeal,” Randle said in court.
Seems Daddy was babysitting four children on the day of the "incident." Of course, Mom was working. Another one of those stay-at-home dads (Translation: unemployed abuser-loser dad)?
All those kids were just "driving him crazy," don't you know! Daddy apparently got "frustrated" (that's the standard euphemistic adjective for describing killer daddies) when the baby got sick and vomited, so he shook her. Right. Like that's what we do with sick babies. But Daddy couldn't help it! He was "upset" and he wanted to "shut her up"!
Even though the baby developed immediate breathing problems from the shaking, this @$$wipe did not seek medical attention. Not till Mom got back from work and noticed that the baby was "limp and unresponsive" was medical help sought. And that was Mom who did that, not Dad. The cause of death has been identified as blunt force trauma to the head.
Mamas, please try to find another source of childcare besides an unemployed abuser-loser dad. This type has the highest incident rate for shaken baby syndrome. It's a fact. Check out the shaken baby tab below for other cases and for access to the research.
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/fluvanna_man_found_guilty_in_childs_death/51775/
Fluvanna man found guilty in child’s death
By Tasha Kates
Published: February 2, 2010
PALMYRA — The father of a deceased 5-month-old girl who showed signs of shaken baby syndrome has been convicted of killing her.
A Fluvanna County jury convicted Samuel Bee Jones III on Tuesday of felony homicide and recommended a 10-year prison sentence. Jones was found not guilty of child abuse.
Authorities have said Jones shook Arianna Gibson-Jones on Oct. 5, 2008. Arianna was pronounced dead Oct. 8, 2008.
Jones testified Tuesday that he was caring for Arianna and three other children on the day of the incident. He said that Arianna seemed sick and refused the bottle. Although she drank a tiny bit around noon, Jones testified, she soon vomited it up. Jones said in court that the baby vomited a frothy yellow substance while he was cleaning her in the bath.
“She was gagging and gasping for air,” Jones testified. “I shook her a few times, trying to get it out.”
Jones said Arianna started breathing again after the incident and he continued to clean her before putting her in her bassinet. Arianna’s mother, Shernita Gibson, testified Monday that she sought help for her baby after she picked up the limp, unresponsive child.
Jones testified Tuesday that he was trying to help Arianna when he shook her. He said he didn’t know CPR and didn’t try to seek medical attention or ask Gibson’s advice when she called during a break at work not long after the incident.
Witnesses said Jones told Gibson during that phone call that the children were “driving him crazy.” Jones testified Tuesday that he was merely kidding. Francis C. Terwilliger, assistant commonwealth’s attorney, said in court that he believed Jones was frustrated by caring for all the children.
“He intended to shake her, to shut her up, because he was upset,” Terwilliger said in court.
A medical examiner testified Tuesday that Arianna’s cause of death was “blunt force injury to the head.” He said that class of injury could be caused by an object, a baby falling or being shaken. Other medical personnel who worked with Arianna testified that her symptoms were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
However, defense attorney David Randle said during his closing arguments that one of the experts testified that nausea can be a sign of a head injury. Witnesses said in court Monday that Arianna slid out of her carrier the day before but seemed fine after her mother soothed her.
“The mother could have just as easily done this as the father,” Randle said in court.
Medical personnel testified that it was not likely that the Oct. 4, 2008, carrier incident was the cause of Arianna’s head injuries.
Authorities mentioned an earlier incident during Monday’s testimony when Arianna had rib and leg injuries.
Regarding the jury’s decision to convict on one charge and acquit on another, Terwilliger said in court it’s possible the jury thought the child abuse count referred to Arianna’s previous injuries. Randle said in court that there wasn’t evidence presented to show who caused those injuries to the baby.
“If we appeal, I’ll raise those issues on appeal,” Randle said in court.
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