What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Shaken baby syndrome is a type of abusive head trauma, which is a head injury caused by child abuse. Shaken baby syndrome is a leading cause of child abuse fatalities across all age groups. Unfortunately, most of these fatalities occur in children under the age of one, as they are most susceptible to brain damage. And children who do survive shaken baby syndrome can suffer from the effects for the rest of their lives.
Shaken baby syndrome is a type of child abuse frequently depicted in the media, often causing public outrage. When very young children die at the hands of their caregivers, most people respond with shock and horror. Given the danger shaken baby syndrome poses, it’s important for parents to know what it is, what causes it, and why it’s so frequently in the news.
Why Is It Serious?
Shaken baby syndrome can cause serious brain damage or even be fatal. Shaking a baby to stop it from crying is one of the most common causes of shaken baby syndrome. But many new parents are at a loss as to how to stop their baby from crying. Constant crying can be stressful and overwhelming. Many parents accused of child abuse for shaking their babies give constant crying as the reason behind their actions.
Because shaking a baby is a common response to constant crying and how easy it is to damage a baby’s brain, many parents don’t realize they could hurt their child before it’s too late. Understandably, when CPS gives them a call, they are often defensive and surprised the State can take their child away.
Why It’s in the News
The news depicts perpetrators of child abuse as monsters. When, in reality, a new parent becoming overwhelmed with a crying baby and shaking it can be seen as a child abuser, too. These stories tend to be shown in a controversial light. As parents, we all know what it is like to deal with constant crying. Many of us can sympathize with what these parents have done. But at the same time, shaking a baby violently enough to damage their brain is a horrific thought for many parents.
Unfortunately, good people end up facing child abuse allegations for making the wrong decision in commonly frustration situations. Because stories of shaken baby syndrome touch on issues many parents are familiar with, they frequently make the front page.
If you are facing allegations of child abuse, you need to speak with a New Jersey child abuse defense attorney. New Jersey’s CPS agency, the DCPP, can be difficult to deal with, especially when your case involves such serious matters as shaken baby syndrome. You will need the help of an attorney to exercise your rights and help you navigate the intricacies of your case, which can be complicated when serious medical conditions are involved.
If you are under investigation for child abuse, the Williams Law Group, LLC is here to help. The experienced child abuse defense attorneys at Williams Law Group, LLC can help you defend yourself. Located in Short Hills, New Jersey, Williams Law Group, LLC provides compassionate and dedicated legal services to Union, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties, and the surrounding areas. Our knowledgeable attorneys handle divorce and family law, child custody, and child abuse/neglect cases. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation and ultimately get you connected with an experienced New Jersey divorce and child custody attorney.
