Columnist Sandy Thompson: Shaken Baby Syndrome is form of child abuse

Sandy Thompson

Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 3:53 a.m.

That's why she speaks to students, medical personnel, parents and various groups locally and across the country about Shaken Baby Syndrome. That's why she also is working on proposed legislation that would include SBS as a definition of child abuse in the Nevada statutes. She hopes it will be approved by the 2003 Legislature.

Rowse says her granddaughter, Kierra Harrison, was shaken and slammed while in the care of Alica Wegner, a licensed child-care provider, in March 1997. The child suffered a fractured skull, and died two days later. Although she claimed she did not harm the child, Wegner was convicted of first-degree murder.

Last December the Nevada Supreme Court overturned the verdict and ordered a new trial, which is expected to take place in April. The court noted that various medical experts at the trial gave conflicting testimony, some of which suggested that Kierra suffered the injuries before being placed in Wegner's care. The court said the jury should have been given an instruction on involuntary manslaughter.

Rowse says the Supreme Court overturned two other cases involving Shaken Baby Syndrome. She believes it's because not a lot is known about SBS.

"SBS is child abuse. It's not a random loss of temper," Rowse says. "The action is so violent, even a child watching would know it would hurt the baby."

Two years ago Rowse, a nurse, started the Kierra Harrison Foundation for Child Safety. The foundation distributes information to paramedics on how to care for abused children in emergency situations. Packets were to be distributed at a Day of the Child candlelight vigil last night at the Grant Sawyer Building. The foundation also provides workbooks for parents on how to talk to their children about terrorism, in memory of "the children of 9-11."

Rowse speaks to high school child development classes, as well as to girls in Juvenile Detention, about Shaken Baby Syndrome. She says knowledge and awareness are keys to prevention and to finding a way to stop child abuse.

Child abuse statistics are appalling: In 1999 there were 8,723 substantiated cases of abuse and neglect in Nevada. That's above the national average based on population.

An estimated 50,000 cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome occur each year in the United States. It's estimated that one shaken baby in four dies as a result of the abuse.

Shaken Baby Syndrome, which experts say is difficult to diagnose unless there is an eyewitness, is described as vigorous shaking of an infant or young child by the arms, legs, chest or shoulders. It can result in brain damage leading to mental retardation, speech and learning disabilities, paralysis, seizures, hearing loss and death.

A baby's brain and blood vessels are very fragile and are easily damaged by whiplash motions, such as shaking, jerking and jolting. Kierra's injury, for example, was similar to a child falling more than 10 feet, according to some doctors' testimony at the trial.

The child's death literally tore apart the family, Rowse says, from the great-grandparents to the parents and aunts and uncles. Kierra's parents are going through a divorce.

"Shaking shatters lives," Rowse says.

No one can predict what will happen at the caregiver's new trial. But one thing is certain: Rowse will continue talking to everyone she can -- anywhere she can -- about Shaken Baby Syndrome.

A child's life may be saved because of it.