Death of 2-month-old is called a homicide

Jen Lawson

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 | 9:08 a.m.

A 2-month-old Las Vegas boy died last week of injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, authorities said Monday.

Carl Ronald Wyatt is the second child in just over a week -- and the fifth this year -- to die in the Las Vegas Valley from such injuries.

"It's just too much," said Susan Klein-Rothschild, director of Clark County Family Services. "It's very, very hard."

Carl, who was born April 18, was brought to Sunrise Hospital on July 6 with visible injuries. He was pronounced dead shortly after he was admitted.

Medical examiners determined the infant died of subdural hematoma, or bleeding of the brain, and that the manner of death was homicide.

According to the National Institutes of Health, subdural hematoma in children is typically caused by violent shaking, but it can also be caused if the child's head hits something soft, such as a mattress or pillow. Lisa Teele, supervisor with Metro's abuse and neglect section, said no arrests have been made.

"Everything is still under investigation," she said. "We are still trying to gather all of the medical information."

Family services did not have any contact with Carl's family before this incident, Klein-Rothschild said. No other children live in the home.

On June 28, Caleob Hudson, 6 weeks old, died allegedly at the hands of 17-year-old Jasmine Hardy, his aunt.

Hardy told police she felt overwhelmed by her babysitting duties. She also took care of the infant's two siblings, ages 4 and 6. Hudson said she threw the baby against a wooden dresser when he wouldn't stop crying, according to the police report.

She also admitted to stomping on his head, and the criminal complaint says Caleob also suffered injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, the report said.