I have seen the fact pattern many times in Juvenile Court. Infant. Injuries including retinal hemorrhages, bone fractures and bleeding in the brain. The parent is interviewed (interrogated). They are understandably scared. They are nervous, anxious, trying to offer any possible explanation. They want to cooperate and are searching for answers. Unfortunately, shaken baby syndrome is too often assumed. Or it is used as basis for taking a child until a parent proves to DCF exactly how the injuries occurred.
How about evaluating the other causes of fractures or other injuries? Just how much weight do the DCF medical experts give to the presence or absence of risk factors such as aggression, anger, criminal history involving violence, prior child welfare (DCF) involvement, emotional stress, financial stress and substance abuse?
I clearly understand the need for DCF to protect children. There is no question about the need to protect children. But I also sympathize with those parents who are falsely accused because of a rush to judgment or a default diagnosis.
Check out this article from the NY Times about Shaken Baby Syndrome:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/magazine/06baby-t.html?_r=1
Please contact me to discuss DCF Investigations involving claims of Shaken Baby Syndrome.