Manhattan Infant On Life Support, Suspected Victim Of Shaken Baby Syndrome

A 3-month-old infant was on life support after he was found unconscious in his mom’s NYCHA apartment on the Lower East Side, the suspected victim of shaken baby syndrome, police sources said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old boyfriend of the infant’s mom was baby-sitting the boy Monday. When the mother returned to her apartment in the Vladeck Houses on Water St. about 8:15 p.m., she found the infant unconscious and called 911.

Medics rushed the baby to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell, where he was listed in critical condition. Investigators suspect he suffered shaken baby syndrome, sources said.

The boyfriend was in custody and was still being questioned Tuesday night, sources said.

“A lot of police and EMTs ran into the apartment,” building tenant Luis Ortiz, 22, told the Daily News.

“A female EMT came out with the baby in her arms. It was a little tiny baby. It didn’t look like it was moving. They put oxygen on it to bring it back. Then the guy ran out with them to the hospital.”

A female tenant who did not want to give her name described the family as having moved into the building “with all their stuff in trash bags from a shelter.”

“All kinds of people were in and out of the apartment,” she said, alleging there was drug dealing and marijuana smoking in the hallway. She also charged she heard “screaming of the children from the beatings.”

The neighbor said besides the infant, a young girl and a young boy also lived in the apartment.[More New York] NYPD vehicle strikes pedestrian in the Bronx, critically injuring her »

A email requesting comment from the Administration from Children’s Services was not immediately returned Tuesday night.

This article was originally published by NYDailyNews.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.

Documents Sought In Baby’s Death

A judge is considering a subpoena for documents in the death of a two-month old infant in July.

Michael Dawson is accused in the death of his son, Gannon, on July 23.

Dawson’s attorney has subpoenaed the Washington County Children’s Services for documents relating to the child’s condition shortly before his death.

But a representative of the children’s services agency said in court Thursday those documents are confidential and could only be provided under certain exemptions.

Judge Mark Karenyi is to consider whether the documents can be released to Dawson’s attorney, and whether they will only be allowed to be viewed in private.

A Marietta man accused of killing his 2-month-old son by shaking him is scheduled to go on trial in October in Washington County Common Pleas Court.

A grand jury indicted Michael A. Dawson Jr., 31, on murder and endangering-children charges on Aug. 5, following his arrest by Washington County authorities on July 26.

According to online court records, he pleaded not guilty during a hearing in Common Pleas Court on Aug. 6 and a trial was scheduled for Oct. 7.

Dawson’s son, Gannon, died on July 26 at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, where he was taken after being treated at Marietta Memorial Hospital. The baby suffered a skull fracture; a broken collar bone that was already healing; seven to eight broken or fractured ribs in various stages of healing; and new and old hemorrhages that were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

Dawson remains in the Washington County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

A Marietta man remains jailed on a murder charge after authorities said his 2-month-old baby died Sunday at a Columbus hospital of injuries apparently caused by his dad shaking him.

Washington County sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael A. Dawson, 31, on Sunday, and he was arraigned Monday morning in Marietta Municipal Court. A judge set his bond at $500,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for 1 p.m. on Aug. 5.

Deputies were called to 101 Longacre St., Marietta, on Thursday to investigate a report of a 2-month-old baby not breathing.

The baby, Gannon Dawson, was taken to Marietta Memorial Hospital and then flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, authorities said.

According to a sheriff’s office news release, deputies were told that Michael Dawson came home about 8 a.m. after working 13 consecutive days. The baby’s mother, Megan Wiggins, was asleep, and Dawson said that the baby had colic.

Dawson told investigators he picked up the baby and began feeding him. Soon after, the baby began vomiting and having trouble breathing. That’s when he said he woke up Wiggins and told her to call 911 while he started giving the baby CPR.

After the baby was taken to Marietta Memorial, the sheriff’s office said hospital employees were “highly” concerned that the baby had been abused, noting that Dawson’s account of what happened was not consistent with the baby’s injuries, which included bruising under or around his chin.

After the baby was taken to Nationwide Children’s, the sheriff’s office said detectives received notification of a skull fracture; a broken collar bone that was already healing; seven to eight broken or fractured ribs in various stages of healing; and new and old hemorrhages that were consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Liver damage and bruising to the bowels were also reported.

The sheriff’s office said detectives interviewed Dawson and Wiggins at the hospital in Columbus, and they agreed that the baby had not been dropped or been injured in a car accident. They also said the baby had not been left in the care of anyone else.

Wiggins also confirmed to detectives that the baby did not have any medical problems at birth.

Meanwhile, Dawson, according to the sheriff’s office, told detectives several times that he “never did anything to Gannon intentionally or just to be mean to him” and that he did not do anything intentionally to hurt his son.

This article was originally published by WTAP.

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.

Woman Arrested In Connection To Infant’s Death

A Hillsborough County woman faces charges of first-degree murder after autopsy results showed a two-month-old child left in her care died of injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome, deputies said.

The criminal investigation began in April 2019, when physicians from St. Joesph’s Hospital notified deputies of the baby’s injuries, which left the child paralyzed, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The child remained hospitalized until dying on March 20.

A child abuse investigation was launched into Brienna Craig, which wrapped up Wednesday and led to her arrest. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the child’s cause of death as a homicide.

It’s unclear if Craig is the mother of the child.

“This is absolutely tragic and our anger toward Craig is immeasurable,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a statement. “The thought of an innocent child suffering at the hands of a grown adult is horrifying and unthinkable. Although nothing will bring this child back, we will ensure Brienna Craig is punished for her evil actions.”

This article was originally published by the TampBayTimes.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.

Donations Of Purple Newborn Hats Needed For Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Campaign

A public education campaign from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome is asking knitters and crocheters to help raise awareness about shaken baby syndrome by making purple hats for newborns.

All nine Marathon County Public Library locations will serve as drop-off sites for the Wisconsin CLICK for Babies campaign. Shaken Baby Syndrome is typically the result of a caregiver’s frustration with infant crying.

The letters PURPLE stand for: Peak of crying, Unexpected, Resists soothing, Pain like face, Long lasting, Evening.

The hats will be included in a package of items new parents receive.

Anyone who knits or crochets a cap is asked to create one that is at least 50% purple. Caps should have a circumference of 14 inches (13-15 in.) and a height of 4-6 inches.

Free patterns and more information about the campaign can be found here.

In 2006, Wisconsin passed legislation requiring hospitals, birthing centers, home visiting programs, child care providers, schools and all providers of prenatal, postpartum and young child care coordination services to have educational materials about shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma available to parents.

Starting in 2016, the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board started a grant program to fund the implementation of Period of PURPLE Crying program in hospitals and birthing centers.

This article was originally published by WSAW.

 

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: Entrepreneur and Advocate

Imagine it’s any other day; you’re at work, taking emails, and interacting with clients or co-workers. Everything seems normal, than you get a call from your wife telling you to rush to the hospital because something’s happened to your child. That’s the reality that Scott Juceam was faced with over eleven years ago.

Scott Juceam is an entrepreneur, and an advocate against Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). In May 2006, Juceam’s life changed forever when his infant daughter, Hannah Rose Juceam, was pronounced dead after being left in the care of her nanny. The nanny admitted to shaking the child in an attempt to wake her, but this resulted in the death of Hannah Rose. The nanny would spend two years in custody for charges of murder and child abuse. However, despite the evidence and the 10-2 jury ruling in favor of guilty, the case eventually ended in a mistrial. In the 11 years since the tragic event, Juceam has dedicated his life to preventing SBS.

“It feels like yesterday, and it feels like 100 years ago,” said Juceam, when asked about his daughter’s passing. “There’s a learning lesson in a decade… I’ve learned how to take this terrible pain and try to share it in a way that is tempered right, where people will be inspired or motivated to do something.” As of today, Juceam has given more than 500 speeches to first responders, and other people who need to understand the pain that SBS brings.

“Before my daughter took her last breath, that is where I told her, I promise you that I will let the world know who you are, and I will do everything I can to stop Shaken Baby Syndrome from existing.”

The trail for Hannah Rose Juceam’s murderer ended in a mistrial due to the testimony of a false expert witness. In recent years, there have been several of these expert witnesses taking the stand in cases involving SBS, who question the validity of SBS diagnoses. Because of this, Scott also advocates that there be proper vetting performed on all expert witnesses involved in SBS trials.

Every year, more than 1,500 infants die from being violently shaken. Most of the time, babies are shaken by caregivers, family members, or people close to the family. Sometimes the shaking happens out of aggression towards the crying baby, and other times it happens by accident.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) — also commonly known as abusive head trauma (AHT) — is a severe and preventable form of child abuse which often results in traumatic brain injury, and in extreme cases can lead to death. Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a child (usually under the age of five) is forcibly shaken. Even if the shaking is done only for a few seconds, the resulting injuries are almost always severe, and life altering. Children who have been shaken often experience bleeding behind the eyes, and around the brain which can lead to a variety of disabilities.
Most survivors of SBS suffer from long term disabilities due to being shaken as a child, including: vision problems, physical disabilities, hearing loss, delayed learning, and many others. One in every four children who goes through this type of abuse perishes from their injuries.
Shaken Baby Syndrome and abusive head trauma happen most frequently when a parent or guardian becomes angry or frustrated with the child, and resort to shaking him or her. This most commonly happens to infants who are crying for long periods of time. When the child won’t stop crying, sometimes frustrated adults will shake the child in an effort to stop the crying. However, the actions committed in those few moments of anger can drastically change a child’s entire life.

Today, Scott Juceam continues to fight against Shaken Baby Syndrome, and against child abuse altogether.

Child Abuse Rates Are Declining In The U.S.

A new federal study indicates that child abuse rates are dropping drastically in the United States (sexual abuse rates have dropped the most in recent years). Experts in the field credit the decrease in abuse rates to the large public awareness campaigns and crackdowns that have gone on.

From 2005-2006, around 550,000 children were victims of sexual, physical or emotional abuse. However that is 26 percent lower than it was in 1993, with 740,000 estimated victims of abuse. David Finkelhor, a top researcher in the field of child abuse is quoted saying, “It’s the first time since we started collecting data about these things that we’ve seen substantial declines over a long period, and that’s tremendously encouraging. It does suggest that the mobilization around this issue is helping and it’s a problem that is amenable to solutions.”

Beyond any doubt, the rise in awareness of the issues at hand has played a key role in reducing child abuse throughout the country. Through the internet, people are more exposed to the happenings of the world, and child abuse no longer remains in the shadows like it once did. A recent example of this is found in the YouTube channel of a man by the username of “DaddyOfFive”. DaddyOfFive created weekly, and sometimes daily content of him “pranking” his children, two of which were under his family’s care through the foster system. The “pranks” however, often involved physical violence and emotional torture. These pranks were often directed at the two foster children. The YouTube community saw this and created compilation videos demonstrating the violence and emotional abuse, and those served as evidence for the authorities to remove the kids from the abusive situation.

The number of sexually abused children decreased nearly 40 percent from 1993 to 2006. Though many experts didn’t comment on why the trend is moving the way that it is, some offered their theories. “There’s much more public awareness and public intolerance around child abuse now. It was a hidden concern before – people were afraid to talk about it if it was in their family,” said the Child Welfare League of America’s Vice President of Public Policy.

Child abuse has become a far more widely discussed topic in the last decade or so. There is increasing public awareness on the issue via the internet and social media, and child abusers are less able to hide in the shadows. Smartphones have played a significant role in the decline of abuse rates as well. Whereas in the past, child abusers would be able to carry out abusive acts without fear of being seen, now the risk of being caught is higher than ever. When everyone has a camera in their pocket, abusers realize that any of their actions can be filmed as evidence at any moment.

Child abuse is unfortunately still a problem today. There are around 3.6 million referrals to child protection agencies every year. That’s roughly one report every 10 seconds. Physical abuse is the most prevalent among these reports, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all cases. Even though the rates are declining, the United States still has a lot of room to improve when it comes to preventing abuse. The U.S. has some of the highest child abuse rates among industrialized nations; it’s estimated that between four and seven children every day lose their lives to child abuse in the U.S. There is still much work to be done, and people such as Scott Juceam are doing everything they can to eliminate child abuse altogether.

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.

How To Know When Your Baby Is Experiencing Motion Sickness

It can be difficult to not worry when your baby is sick. Babies cry in the car for a variety of different reasons, but one of the main reasons is motion sickness. Motion sickness happens to some people consistently, and hardly ever to others. Motion sickness happens the most when your body feels movement, but your eyes can’t see it. This situation happens to babies in cars, so it makes sense why they would get motion sickness easily. Luckily there are a few big flags to look out for that will help you know if your baby is crying from motion sickness.

Here are a few signs of motion sickness and some solutions to make your baby feel better:

1. They Always Cry in the Car

This one seems obvious but it’s worth noting. If your baby cries every time they get in the car and stops crying shortly after you stop driving, it’s likely that they are prone to motion sickness. If this sounds like your child, consider leaving for long trips during their naptime. This way your baby is more likely to sleep through the majority of the trip. You can also try keeping their attention at the front of the car so that they always look out of windshield. Being able to see straight ahead will reduce the symptoms of motion sickness in your baby.

2. Cold Sweats

If your child seems cold and slightly sweaty, it could be a tell-tale sign that they are feeling motion sick. When this happens, pull over, lay him down, and put a cool damp cloth on his head. The symptoms shouldn’t last for more than 15 minutes.

3. Loss of Appetite

Babies tend to show a loss of appetite before they throw up. At the same time, hunger can make nausea much worse. If your baby isn’t responding to food while they are in the car, they could be feeling nauseous. Try feeding your child a small snack before long trips. You can also pull over every once in a while to give your baby a quick snack. They’ll be more responsive to food when the car isn’t in motion, and having a little food in their stomachs will keep them from feeling nauseous.

4. Pale Skin

Paleness happens when there is a loss of blood to the brain due to a drop in blood pressure. This is a big sign of nausea and motion sickness. Try opening a window a little bit to allow some fresh air to run throughout the car. If that doesn’t work, consider pulling over and distracting your baby with some of his toys. Sometimes motion sickness can be a state of mind, so giving your baby a distraction can actually cure him from feeling queasy.

5. Vomiting

If your baby isn’t already sick, vomiting in the car usually indicates motion sickness. If your baby is 2 or older, you can purchase some over the counter anti-nausea medication to give to them on trips. However, if your child is under 2 years old, there are a few other things you can do to alleviate their symptoms.

Some people recommend motion sickness bracelets that stimulate acupressure points on the wrist. These bracelets reduce the effects of motion sickness in many people, while others feel they don’t do much. Try one on your baby and see if he responds to it well. If the motion sickness is happening in another form of transportation such as a plane or boat, make sure the baby is always seated where they can see through a window or toward the front of the vessel.

Above all else, the most important thing to remember when your child is experiencing motion sickness is to be patient. They most likely are feeling miserable, and despite the vomiting or crying it’s important to stay calm. If you’re driving a car, keep your cool and pull over to safety where you’ll be able to tend to your baby’s needs best.

Scott Juceam: The Advocate

Scott Juceam is a Southern California businessman and a leading advocate for the prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome (also known as abusive head trauma). Scott has dedicated a large portion of his life to spreading awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome, so that the risks it poses can be minimized. The syndrome occurs when a child or infant is shaken to the point of sustained physical harm, and in the most extreme cases, death. Oftentimes this type of abuse is carried out by trusted caregivers or family members.

In addition to his dedication to the prevention of abusive head trauma, Scott Juceam is also outspoken about ensuring that Shaken Baby Syndrome is correctly identified in the court system. In recent years, there have been several cases of false “expert” witnesses who have taken the stand in courtrooms, and stated in testimonies that Shaken Baby Syndrome is not real. These testimonies have allowed potentially guilty people to get off freely, and contradict the majority of the scientific community’s opinion on the matter. Juceam has played a key role in promoting justice in these cases involving abusive head trauma.

Scott’s passionate advocacy stems from his personal experience in the matter. In May of 2006, Juceam’s infant daughter went unconscious while under the care of a nanny. The nanny reported shaking the baby in order to wake her, but sadly, the child passed away in the hospital shortly after. The nanny spent two years in custody for charges of murder and child abuse and the case eventually went to trial, where the jury ruled 10-2 in favor of guilty. However, in the re-trial, a medical “expert” was brought in that claimed Juceam’s child had existing brain damage, which was the reason for the child’s passing. This testimony allowed the nanny to walk free. This experience is what led Scott to dedicate his life to preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome, and to fight for justice in cases involving Shaken Baby Syndrome.

With more cases involving Shaken Baby Syndrome showing up every month, and with more doctors denying the existence of the syndrome, it has never been more important for thorough vetting of “experts” who testify in court. Scott Juceam is active in promoting the thorough vetting process of court “experts” so that everyone involved can be assured that the testimony provided is backed by sound science.

Defying the Odds: Stories of SBS Survivors

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is one of the most horrific things a child/baby can endure. It is often fatal, as 1 in 4 infants die from their injuries. Studies show that up to half of infant deaths caused by child abuse are due to Shaken Baby Syndrome. SBS is difficult to identify because it usually doesn’t involve any visible signs of trauma. Despite the odds, some children survive SBS. However, most of these babies suffer through challenging disabilities for the rest of their lives.

Here are a few stories from the surviving victims of SBS:

Will Hayes

Four-year-old Will Hayes surprised the world when he burst into song in class one day, letting the world hear his voice for the first time. It was a moment that surprised everyone who knew him, as none of the doctors ever expected him to speak. Will was shaken when he was just 2 months old. He would have frequent seizures and doctors warned that he may stay in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. However, that didn’t stop the Hayes family from taking Will into foster care (after he was removed from his abusive family). They took him to every medical appointment that he needed, and underwent training to learn how to deal with Will’s special needs. Soon, Will learned to walk, and the Hayes family started to see the fruit of their dedication to the child. After Will’s biological mother plead guilty to child abuse, the Hayes family could finally adopt Will. Although Will’s speech is still limited to indiscernible vocalizations, his family believes that he will continue to make progress.

Warren and Ashley O’Brien

Baby Warren was only 7 months old when his life was dramatically changed. Ashley’s now ex-fiancé called one day and told her that Warren was unconscious and hadn’t been breathing for 45 minutes. After being rushed to the hospital, the doctors determined that Warren had been the victim of shaken baby syndrome. Warren suffered bleeding behind the brain, visual impairment, delayed mental capacity, and inability to walk. He now must spend hours in physical therapy every week. However, Warren continues to beat the odds against him, and survive. To celebrate his one-year survival, the family held a celebration where they collected stuffed animals and blankets to donate to the children’s hospital where Warren was diagnosed. His mother Ashley is using the tragedy that happened to their family as an outlet for advocacy against SBS.

Kolton Jones

Kolton Jones was violently shaken as a baby just one month after he was born. He suffered so much brain damage that doctors didn’t think he would survive his injuries. However, Kolton did survive. Kolton, now 17-years-old, is a major player on his high school basketball team. He used to watch every game the school basketball team played, and instantly accepted the opportunity when he was offered a position on the team himself.

“He’s come a long way, you know. From a baby that wasn’t supposed to live to see him at 17-years-old out there running back and forth playing basketball. It’s really awesome! You know? It’s great!” says James Birman, Kolton’s stepfather. Kolton’s teammates and coach all love the spirit that Kolton brings to the game, and say that the team wouldn’t be the same without him.

Amanda Moral

When Amanda Moral was just a baby her father violently shook her. However, she survived her injuries and showed no major signs of damage until she had her first seizure at four-years-old. Now Amanda is 29 years old, and while she survived her injuries as a child, the effects of her abuse have gotten worse over time. Now Amanda suffers up to 60 seizures per-day along with heart issues. Up until recently Amanda was an honor student at Central Piedmont Community College, but she was forced to dropout due to her medical conditions. However, Amanda is currently undergoing stem cell treatment to alleviate her medical burdens, and she is hopeful for the future.

Even though all of these kids survived their injuries, they have to live life with incredible hardship. The brain damage caused in just 5 seconds of shaking has altered these people’s lives forever. It’s important to remember NEVER to shake your baby. Babies cry and it can be frustrating, but the solution is not found in shaking your baby. Educate your family and the people around you on how to care for your baby gently, and inform them of the dangers involved with SBS.