Abusive head trauma: A perpetrator confesses

Erica Bell; Michelle Shouldice; Alex V Levin

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.11.001

Abusive head trauma: A perpetrator confesses

Child Abuse Negl. 2011 Jan;35(1):74-7. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.11.001.

Authors

Erica Bell¹, Michelle Shouldice, Alex V Levin

Affiliation

¹ Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.

PMID: 21315450
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.11.001

Abstract

Objectives: To present a detailed confession from a perpetrator of Shaken Baby syndrome.

Methods: Case study.

Results: We present a confession of Shaken Baby syndrome describing how the perpetrator severely injured a 3 year old with repeated bursts of acceleration-deceleration (shaking). The child sustained retinal and intracranial hemorrhage. Details of the confession and circumstances by which it was obtained lead us to believe its accuracy.

Conclusions: Accurate perpetrator confessions offer useful windows into realities and pathophysiology of abusive head trauma.

Publication types

Case Reports
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child Abuse
Child, Preschool
Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnosis*
Craniocerebral Trauma / physiopathology
Female
Humans
Shaken Baby Syndrome*
Truth Disclosure*