Infant violently shaken by father survives, but faces the unknown (Roanoke, Virginia)

Dad MICHAEL LEACH was the one who was convicted of inflicting this severe level of non-accidental head trauma on this child. But you won't find out the name of the actual perpetrator of this violent act till the last paragraph. And note that under a plea deal, he'll serve no more than five years in prison when sentenced in December.

http://www2.wsls.com/news/2010/sep/27/infant-survives-shaken-baby-syndrome-faces-unknown-ar-529543/

Infant survives 'Shaken Baby Syndrome', faces unknown

By Dawn Jefferies
Published: September 27, 2010

9-month-old Braven isn't able to crawl and only recently began sitting up on his own. "Physically, they say he's at a six month level," explains Braven's, Ce Ce Rose. But he's come a long way since he was diagnosed with non accidental head trauma, commonly referred to as shaken baby syndrome, at 6 weeks old.

"He was blind for roughly three weeks, he wouldn't cry, he couldn't talk, he couldn't eat for about two weeks," she said. "He had blood pretty much on the entire frontal area of his brain. He had blood clots in his eyes which is why he was blind."

Ce Ce's now ex-husband pled guilty in West Virginia, to child abuse resulting in bodily injury. She wasn't home when it happened but hasn't left Braven's side since. "My child was dying right before my eyes. I felt helpless. I couldn't do anything other than be by his side and hope he woke up."

It was a miracle when he did.

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome reports about 25 percent of victims die from their injuries. 80 percent of those who make it suffer a permanent disability like severe brain damage or cerebral palsy.

Ce Ce says her son is more than lucky. "Yes, yes, he is a miracle."

They face a lot of unknowns. "There's a lot of doctors appointments, a lot of uncertainty, what the next day will bring but he's improving everyday."

And Ce Ce is doing what she can to keep other babies safe. "In the hospital, all they gave me was a big pink piece of paper that said, don't shake your baby." She's speaking out so other parents know the danger and know what to do when the trying days with a child take a toll.

"If you're getting upset with your child, lay them down and walk away." The moment you take, could save his life.

Under a plea agreement, Braven's father, Michael Leach, faces one to five years in prison. He'll be sentenced in December. He also has to register as a child abuse and neglect offender.