Arrest made in shaken baby syndrome case
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Licensed childcare provider Rebecca Saunders was arrested Monday after Hillsborough County Sheriff's investigators say she harmed a 5-month-old boy.
"Right now he has, it appears to be shaken baby syndrome," said sheriff's office public information officer Debbie Carter.
Investigators say the infant, who the sheriff's office is not identifying, appeared to be sleepy when his parents picked him up at Saunders' Carrollwood home on May 8.
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"They took the child home," said Carter. "He slept the whole way home. [They] put him to bed and when they went to check on him, again he was limp and unresponsive."
The 5-month-old was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where he is hospitalized with severe brain injuries.
Leon Jones, the attorney for Saunders, says the 35-year-old mother of three can't believe she was arrested.
"The best word I can come up with is stunned," said Jones. "When I visited with her last night at the county jail, she was just in shock. She just kept saying over and over, 'But I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything.' "
Jones says investigators arrested the wrong person.
"It's our position that law enforcement is focused on her," said Jones. "Maybe they were directed towards her, but it's not her."
Jones says the baby boy was exposed to other people, such as family members, and his office is doing its own investigation. He says people should withhold judgment for now.
"In this case don't make any flash judgments," said Jones. "This is a young lady who loves kids. Has three of her own."
Saunders is currently facing one count of aggravated child abuse, but if the baby doesn't survive, more charges could be brought. She was released from jail Tuesday on $5,000 bond.
http://baynews9.com/content/36/2007/5/15...
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UPDATE ON BABY KALEB 6-8-2007
It is with great joy and relief that this update is sent.
Kaleb's surgery went very well this morning!! The tap inserted in his brain released a large amount of fluid, Kaleb's brain was under an immense amount of pressure. Kristy exclaimed that, "He is like a completely different baby!" She said that he has had his eyes WIDE open, and is moving around A LOT!!
Kristy will post a more detailed blog later, but it was important to her the EVERYONE who has been praying for Kaleb know that the surgery went well!
Other Updates:
Kristy's page hit the #1 spot for most popular blogs on myspace yesteday! Her story was also featured on the cover of St. Pete Times. I will post the link as soon as I have the chance.
There is now a link on the Help Kaleb page to email Oprah, and a website set up for this as well (will be posted on this page later).
As of this morning, $2,231 has been raised via the PayPal account!
If you have sentiments, please post them in the comment section.
PLEASE KEEP PRAYING AND KEEP PASSING THIS ALONG!!! This story is proof that WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE- ONE PERSON AT A TIME!!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Help Kaleb Page
www.myspace.com/helpkaleb
his mommys myspace is www.myspace.com/kristyreynolds
Additional Details
44 minutes ago
there are pics up and videos on his progress on kristys myspace...just keep on passing this around and keep this little guy in your thoughts and prayers!!
34 minutes ago
IM JUST PASSING THE STORY THIS IS NOT MY BABY...YOU CAN FIND THE FAIMLY AT www.myspace.com/kristyreynolds
2007-06-11 18:11:42 · 5 answers · asked by [♥] KaDeN's MoMmY [♥] 3 in News & Events ➔ Other - News & Events
go to http://www.myspace.com/kalebbracelets it will really help them out to buy a bracelet. I did.
2007-06-12 11:53:17 · answer #1 · answered by Tara Elaine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm so used to getting fake emails like this that I virtually handed this up. thank you for the myspace link, it for sure isn't a pretend. i would be praying for toddler Kaleb and his kinfolk! playstation : i've got seen and been a factor of different miracles on solutions, something is achieveable. ---- Did everybody see the replace as we communicate 6/9? Kaleb is out of the coma! And seems to be doing nicely!! ----
2016-10-09 00:58:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just like to say that if that child care worker(If responsible, which I'm sure she is,) gets away with being charged only with aggravated child abuse, this will be a pure shame. How can someone hurt something so precious and not be charged with anything more? I get so angry with the justice system sometimes, I just get sick to my stomach. She should be charged with everything possible for this type of crime and if she's lucky, not ever see the outside of a prison again.
2007-06-15 12:49:47 · answer #3 · answered by Teresa B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this is an awesome post to raise awareness of shaken baby syndrom, as well as to get people to pray for baby KALEB! he is in my thoughts and prayers every day!
2007-06-15 08:52:23 · answer #4 · answered by cinnimon2693 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That poor baby and his family
Thanks for the link.
I cannot comprehend how people can hurt children, and my heart breaks for the child and family.
2007-06-11 20:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋