Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Infant shaken by father faces multiple life-long disabilities (Tampa, Florida)

Dad is identified as JONATHAN GELB. Appears to be another dad in charge of childcare while Mom worked.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/18398085/shaken-as-a-baby-injured-for-life

Shaken as a baby, injured for life
Posted: May 14, 2012 7:37 PM CDT
Updated: May 14, 2012 7:37 PM CDT
By: Gloria Gomez, FOX 13 News

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Lukuz Gelb was born a healthy and normal baby boy. But today, he can't sit up, walk, talk or see.

"He won't be able to see his family, and who knows if he'll be able to reach adulthood," explains Lukuz' mother Leann Rodriguez.

Lukuz was only two months old in September of 2008 when Leann came home from work to find her son in his father's arms, gasping for air.

Leann Rodriguez says Lukuz was only two months old when she came home from work to find her son in his fathers arms, gasping for air.

She immediately called 911.

After a series of tests, doctors determined he had bleeding and swelling of the brain. He underwent emergency surgery to remove most of his skull.

It wasn't long before investigators determined Lukuz had been shaken violently.

"He had fractures in his legs as well, and they said those were signs of being shaken violently, and they said what their looking at is Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The baby's father, 28-year-old Jonathan Gelb, was charged with aggravated child abuse.

The arrest report shows Gelb was alone with Lukuz that day and could not explain what happened before Lukuz began gasping and wheezing.

While Gelb's attorney says his client denies ever harming his child, it will be up to a jury to decide when the trial begins next week.

As for little Lukuz, he turns four this year. But he is not expected to ever recover from his injuries.

His mother's hope is to save other children from the same tragic fate.

"The worst thing you can do to a child is pick them up and shake them, because they may not live through it, " Rodriguez said.