A 1-year-old boy is in critical condition after reportedly being shaken, suffering injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The incident occurred Tuesday at the apartment of a Brighton man and woman, according to a news release from Brighton police.
“The child was pushed down on the floor three times, causing him to strike his head, and then shaken feverishly by his mother’s live-in boyfriend,” police said.
The child was initially sent to St. Joseph Mercy Woodland Health in Brighton then transferred while on a ventilator to a children’s hospital.
“The child is currently suffering from seizures,” police said.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Protective Services called the police department and advised them of the boy’s injuries.
Shaken baby syndrome — also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or whiplash shake syndrome — is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website.
Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child’s brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting enough oxygen. It can result in permanent brain damage or death.
Symptoms and signs include poor eating, vomiting, seizures, and paralysis.
The man who allegedly shook the child was cooperative with police. He was arrested and is being held in the Livingston County Jail awaiting arraignment, police said.
The child’s mother, who is also pregnant with the man’s child, was also cooperative, police said.
She was in the same room when the incident occurred, “however, no formal charges have been filed against her at this time,” police said.
The arrested man’s name will not be released until arraignment occurs.
The case remains under investigation.
This article was originally published by Livingstondaily.com.
Scott Juceam is one of the leading advocates against Shaken Baby Syndrome. Scott’s life changed when his daughter Hannah was shaken to death by her nanny in 2006. Since then, Scott has dedicated his life to preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and child abuse.
To learn more about me, please visit my website at www.ScottJuceam.com or you can click here.
Scott Juceam 