Sandra Higgins: Ireland: Bulletin: On-going trial: 'Baby's symptoms were 'classic' and 'very typical' of shaken baby syndrome, court hears.' The Independent I.E.; Reporter Liz Farsaci; 27 April, 2017..."The prosecution’s final witness is expected to give evidence tomorrow in the trial before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury."

 

"A 10-month-old baby girl had “classic” symptoms of abusive head trauma, the trial of her former child minder heard today. Sandra Higgins (36) of The Beeches, Drumgola Wood, Cavan, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the baby at her home on 28 March 2012. Paediatric consultant Prof Alf Nicholson told the court he was on call on 1 April 2012, after the baby was admitted to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin, where she was transferred for specialist care from Cavan. The baby was suffering from a number of issues upon admittance, including bilateral retinal bleeding, or bleeding behind the eyes, bleeding along the surface of her brain and two rib fractures on the left side. Some facial bruising was also noted, Prof Nicholson said. The baby “wasn’t very well”, said Prof Nicholson, and was also experiencing seizure activity and weakness on one side. The baby’s symptoms – including the brain and eye bleeding, as well as the rib fractures – were “classic” and “very typical” of abusive head trauma, Prof Nicholson said. Shaken baby syndrome is now referred to as abusive head trauma, Prof Nicholson said, adding that both he personally and the staff at Temple Street had a great deal of experience in dealing with this condition. The bleeding in the eyes and the brain were two different bleeds, Prof Nicholson said. When a child was suffering from both “it increases the risk of this being non-accidental”, he told the court. Prof Michael O’Keefe, a consultant surgeon at Temple Street and professor of ophthalmology at UCD, said the baby came under his care after she was referred by colleagues in Cavan. He said he found the baby was suffering from haemorrhages, or bleeding, behind both eyes. She was also suffering from retinal detachment, with fluid behind one eye, and from bleeding in her brain. The blood from the eyes most likely came from the vessels at the back of the retinas, Dr O’Keefe said. The baby was examined by the paediatric team, who decided no intervention was needed. The baby attended the hospital again on several other occasions and by June of that year, the bleeding had gone away, the retinal detachment was resolved and she was using both eyes well. The prosecution’s final witness is expected to give evidence tomorrow in the trial before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury."

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/babys-symptoms-were-classic-and-very-typical-of-shaken-baby-syndrome-court-hears-35660846.html

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy; Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;