When a baby dies or suffers a serious injury, the parents often come under suspicion, and Child Protective Services will almost always be called if there are any symptoms that can even remotely be connected to child abuse. While the loss of or serious injury to a child is a traumatic time for the parents, if you have been accused of or believe you are suspected of any type of child abuse, it’s important to protect your own future by contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Parents learn early on to always be sure to carefully support their baby’s head. This is due to the fact that an infant has weak neck muscles and delicate blood vessels. Any shaking or sudden movement can cause burst blood vessels, head trauma, or whiplash-type injuries.
This is possible not just in cases where a parent may momentarily lose their patience and shake a child but in accidental situations, such as a parent losing his or her grip on a child or failing to properly secure the child in a car seat.
Defending a Shaken Baby Charge
The most important thing to remember is that the burden is on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any injuries were caused with criminal intent rather than under accidental circumstances. An accusation of child abuse can bring out a wide range of emotions, but the best response is to avoid becoming defensive so as not to risk making any statements in the heat of the moment, which are often twisted by a prosecutor in court. Before speaking with Child Protective Services, ask to have a lawyer present. Bennett Law Offices is available to represent residents of Kane, DuPage, DeKalb, Will, Cook, Kendall and nearby counties. Call today to schedule a consultation.
