An Auburn, Washington woman is accused of severely injuring a baby boy and causing a brain injury when she became frustrated and roughly placed him on the ground. Dottie Reed, 18-years old, reported to the police that she became angry and upset at the young boy she was babysitting because he was always fussy and did not appear to like her. This incident occurred on May 28, 2010.
Reed told police officers that she grabbed the roughly placed him on the ground. This forced his head to snap back because it was not properly supported. She then lay the child down which caused his head to come forward. This back and forth movement of the neck is commonly referred to as a whiplash motion and is responsible for many injuries in adults. In a baby’s thin and weak neck, such movement can cause brain injuries and death.
Reed called 911 in the morning when she heard the boy cry, go back to sleep, and then start breathing loudly. Paramedics took the infant boy to Children’s Hospital where he was found to have suffered a severe brain injury that was perhaps life threatening. Police have charged Reed with first degree assault.
Anyone who is around babies for any appreciable length of time understand that supporting the neck and head is crucial because the neck has not developed enough to support the weight of the head. If the head is not supported, then a severe brain injury can happen when the spinal cord becomes compromised. We hope for the best for the injured infant and hope that he is able to completely recover without any long term side effects.
Ross Jurewitz is a San Diego brain injury lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed in a child injury accident. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a child injury accident in California, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.