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When a child is severely injured or dies
in the care of a parent, it's very common for law enforcement
to have a preconceived notion that the parents
may have been involved in the injury.
And a very common charge that stems from child deaths that
are unexplained initially or severe child injury
is something called shaken baby syndrome.
And I believe that there is a presumption almost
on the part of law enforcement or members
of the medical community to look for shaken baby
and to interpret shaken baby.
There are certain signs that are classic signs of shaken baby
syndrome.
Detached retinas, certain fractures.
Babies are very fragile, and sometimes when
a parent is handling a child, if a child
is being loud or unruly, they may not
realize how little it could take to cause
a severe injury to a child.
Sometimes an accident can look a lot like shaken baby syndrome.
Sometimes a parent could be holding the child
and could trip and could fall, and it's a hard thing
to explain when you get to a hospital
because your child is injured and you say you tripped
or you fell.
Those are certain buzz words, which in the law enforcement
community they're often interpreted
as, you did something to your child.
So I've actually handled just such a type of case
where my client was actually charged
with causing substantial injury to his child.
When in fact, the injury occurred
as a result of an accident.
And my client had to go to trial twice
before he was acquitted of the charges.
And it was a very harrowing experience for him.
I'm attorney Michael Becker of the Las Vegas Defense Group.
If you've been arrested in Las Vegas or anywhere
in the state of Nevada, call us at 702-Defense.
We'd be happy to talk to about your case.