Case Stories
Shaken baby cases compound tragedy. Something is wrong with a baby. Frantic caretakers call 911 or race to the ER, scared to death, hoping and praying doctors can help. But something seems strange. Nurses whisper and cast sidelong glances. Police officers approach, asking for specific details about what happened. At some point, the realization dawns that they think you know what happened, you’re intentionally withholding information, you’re responsible for the baby’s condition.
At the end of a day that began like any other, a parent can return to an empty house — a baby in the PICU, a spouse in jail, the baby’s brothers and sisters scattered to foster homes.
A mere accusation can destroy marriages, careers, reputations, and families, as well as future hopes and prospects for children. One experienced attorney estimated that a good defense without pro bono assistance would cost $500,000 or more, and even then only raise the chance of acquittal to 50-50.
This section contains true stories about how the compounding tragedy of Shaken Baby Syndrome plays out in real life. The facts are from media reports, transcripts, appellate decisions, and personal interactions. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but we make no guarantees. Please Contact Us if you find an error. Other than featured cases, the stories, including our own, have been anonymized. Pictures accompanying anonymous stories are not of the actual participants. We wish to honor and respect the privacy of everyone who has been lucky enough to recover any pieces of a life shattered by a false accusation.
Featured Cases
Beginning with the first known shaken baby allegation in the United States, we will post a case a day in chronological order for a year. These are cases that set legal precedent and led to the situation today. Not all of the accused are guilty, nor are they all innocent. Each case stands or falls on its own unique facts. Remember that the standard of proof for a criminal case is “beyond reasonable doubt.”