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False Allegations of Child Abuse Our instincts are to protect and defend defenseless children. It is a measure of a civilized society. It is equally instinctive to presume guilt. That tendency is even stronger when the accused must prove a negative---that what he or she is accused of didn't happen---and the accuser is a physician with a stack of degrees or, equally potent, a child. These combinations have led to countless criminal convictions: parents, day care providers, teachers, neighbors---even when the charges cannot be supported by objective scientific evidence, or when there was no physical evidence at all to support the claims. We're having second looks at many of these cases, acknowledging that we've convicted innocent people, destroyed families and ruined childhoods. A second look at the processes that led to these miscarriages of justice is essential, because unless we learn from our mistakes, we will continue to repeat them. Shaken Baby Syndrome: The Evidence for Shaken Baby Syndrome The theory of shaken
baby syndrome rests on core assumptions: shaking is always intentional
and violent; the injury an infant receives from shaking is invariably
severe; and subdural and retinal bleeding is the result of criminal abuse,
unless proved otherwise. Retinal haemorrhage is one of the criteria used,
and many doctors consider retinal haemorrhage with specific characteristics
pathognomonic of shaking. However, in the March
27, 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal, Patrick
Lantz et al examine that premise and conclude that it "cannot
be supported by objective scientific evidence." Read the British
Medical Journal Case Report and Editorial (pdf files - use Adobe Acrobat
Reader) In the UK, a review
of nearly 300 cases in which parents were convicted of killing their young
children has identified 28 where there was "sufficient cause for
concern to warrant further consideration", the Attorney General,
Lord Goldsmith, has told Parliament. A further 89 cases of "shaken
baby syndrome" will be reconsidered in the light of a judgment from
the Court of Appeal expected in 2005, Lord Goldsmith promised. SBS: Dubious Diagnosis Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill were taken aback at results of a radiology study looking into early brain development. MRIs of normal, healthy infants found intracranial bleeds in 26% of the babies. Intracranial bleeding, which can cause serious brain damage or even death, is one of the hallmark characteristics of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Or is it? Dr. Patricia Moore, a former Harris County associate medical examiner accused of botching an autopsy that led to a young mother's imprisonment has come under scrutiny in several other cases in which her conclusions were later contested or revised. Moore attributed infant deaths to shaken baby syndrome at a rate considerably higher than the rate at which it happens in the general population. Biased Autopsies In what experts say is the first such ruling in the nation, a Greenup (Kentucky) Circuit Court judge has barred the prosecution from introducing expert testimony that a baby was injured by shaking, unless there is other evidence of abuse. Issuing identical rulings in two cases, Judge Lewis Nichols cited biomechanical studies that have concluded it's impossible for an adult to shake an infant hard enough to cause the injuries used to diagnose the syndrome -- hemorrhaging behind both retinas and hematomas, or pools of blood, in the membranes of the brain. Not Letting Doctors Diagnose Legal Conclusions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Victims of
Faulty Diagnoses by Dr. Charles Smith Toronto, Ontario (Canada) Sherry Sherrett, one of the 12 convicted of killing her own infant son, is seeking a full public inquiry into Dr. Smith's work. The 2006 review shows her son was not murdered. Louise Reynolds spent 2 years in jail awaiting trial after Dr. Smith said she stabbed her 7-year-old daughter, Sharon, to death with scissors. Charges were dropped after it was demonstrated little Sharon was mauled by a pit bull. In 1998, Dr. Smith accused Louise and Marco Trotta of suffocating their 4-month-old son, Paulo. Louise served 5 years in prison; Marco was sentenced to 15 years, and had served 9 years when the review indicated little Paulo suffocated on his bedding. CBC In Depth takes a closer look at Dr. Charles Smith: The Man Behind the Public Inquiry ---------------------------- Dr. Daryl Steiner of Akron (Ohio) Children's Hospital has dedicated his career to ferreting out cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome and leveling abuse allegations against parents and caregivers -- 275 of them, so far. "The ramifications of my diagnosis are huge," says Dr. Steiner. Indeed, they are -- families torn apart, parents sent to prison, to name a few. Everyone says Dr. Steiner is never wrong. But he has been proven wrong twice recently. The fallibility of the infallible doctor. Saying defense attorneys were ineffective, the Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial Tuesday for a man convicted of fatally shaking his girlfriend's baby, who remained alive in a vegetative state for 12 years. The court's decision focused on brain images of the boy, Luther Deem. A defense expert didn't see them until the morning of trial, and a judge said that person was unqualified to interpret them. A fresh look at old evidence. After being accused of shaking a baby boy to death last October, Cypress, CA neighborhood day-care operator Lorrie Mae Stoddard lost her livelihood, her standing in the community and many nights of sleep. Prosecutors told a judge there was no evidence to back up the charges and the case was dismissed. Deputy Dist. Atty. Sonia Balleste said a recent, more in-depth brain analysis showed that 4-month-old Noah Samuel Gusto of Cypress did not die from being shaken and that he suffered two of three brain hemorrhages before Stoddard ever came in contact with him at the day-care center in her Cypress home. No shaking happened. Less than a month before Jamie and Ryan Page were to go on trial in Oshkosh, WI for homicide in the death of an infant for whom they provided day care, prosecutors have dismissed the charges. The state continues to allege that the Pages caused the baby's death by shaking him, but says it can't prove which of them did the shaking. Perhaps medical testimony in Audrey Edmunds' case (below) played a role. Charges Dropped. Audrey Edmunds, a former Waunakee, WI baby sitter imprisoned for nearly 10 years after being convicted in the shaken-baby death of a 7- month-old girl, is seeking a new trial, arguing that the scientific evidence used to convict her is no longer valid. "Since Audrey Edmunds' trial . . . a large body of new scientific evidence has emerged that supports her claim of innocence," according to a brief seeking a new trial for Edmunds filed by attorneys and law students for the Wisconsin Innocence Project. "Classic" symptoms not accurate. UPDATE: 1/26/07 - In a two-day hearing, six physicians challenged the medical validity of the evidence that convicted Audrey Edmunds in 1996. Among them was the forensic pathologist who testified against her at trial. No Confidence in SBS Diagnosis UPDATE: 2/22/07 - Audrey Edmunds says life would have crushed her by now, if not for her faith in God -- and her belief that she will soon be reunited with her daughters. The Human Toll of Flawed Science UPDATE: 2/23/07 - In tense, combative testimony, a medical witness for the state forcefully rejected recent studies that raise doubts about shaken baby syndrome. The combative testimony of Dr. Betty Spivack reflects the divide among physicians in shaken-baby cases. One camp believes certain signs and symptoms are proof of abuse, while the other side argues that such indicators also can be seen in children who've been sick or had minor accidents. Defending the Conviction UPDATE: 2/24/07- One of the physicians who cared for Natalie Beard at University (now UW) Hospital in the final hours of her life testified Friday he's certain that the 7-month-old was shaken to death and that the injury occurred shortly before she came to the hospital. "She died from inflicted traumatic brain injury -- that is, she was shaken," said Dr. William Perloff, retired head of pediatric intensive care for the hospital. "In her case, there was evidence of her head hitting a surface." But That's More Than Simply Shaking, Doctor ... UPDATE: 3/29/07 - Dane County Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser has denied Audrey Edmunds a new trial. What it came down to, Moeser said, was whether there was a "reasonable probability" that a new jury, hearing the evidence presented earlier this year and in 1996, would've reached a different verdict. He determined it would not. Edmunds supporter Michelle Urso of Waunakee said she believes one thing is true: "There is no doubt in my mind that there is an innocent woman sitting in jail. Not a single doubt." And the Innocent Woman will Stay in Prison. Three days before he was to go on trial for the shaking death of his infant son, Andy Houser of Manchester, Tennessee was summoned to his lawyer's office. Andy Houser had been a murder defendant for nearly two years. The allegation had already cost him heavily: his marriage dissolved, a hoped-for career in law enforcement evaporated, numerous friends abandoned him and strangers accusingly stared at him. And his son was dead, a victim of shaken baby syndrome, police said. Houser knew life could get worse. In three days, prosecutors planned to spell out their explanation of how Ethan died at the hands of the father. A forensic pathologist would testify that Ethan's small brain was bruised on both sides and that clotted blood was present, a sign of fresh injury. In addition, tiny blood vessels on the surface of the baby's right eye had ruptured. Both are telltale signs of a shaken baby. Defense attorney Robert Carter handed his puzzled client a piece of paper, a fax from the state medical examiner's office. Near the top, in capital letters, were three powerful words, whose force still reverberate strongly in Coffee County: "Amended Autopsy Report." Suspicion adds horror to father's grief for his baby State of Florida vs. Brian Patrick Herlihy Circuit Court of Florida, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Alachua County Brian Herlihy was convicted of causing the death of Baby Robert, an infant in his care, by violently shaking the child. None of the physicians who testified as experts for the state reviewed the baby’s prenatal and postnatal medical records to learn about his pre-existing health problems, his treatment with corticosteroid, or his adverse reactions to vaccines. Some of these physicians were aware that Baby Robert suffered from chronic health conditions such as a chronic subdural bleed, brain atrophy, and sinus and ear infections. However, they did not make any attempt to investigate the links between the baby’s chronic illnesses and his respiratory arrest on the morning of August 2, 2000. The evidence also shows that Brian was convicted and imprisoned due to sloppy and incomplete medical investigations. Click HERE (link not included from orginal text) to read the report (MS Word format) of Dr. Mohammed Al-Bayati, toxicologist and pathologist. Then decide for yourself, and demand justice for Brian Herlihy. Brian Herlihy: Ken Marsh Ken Marsh spent 21 years in California prisons for a crime that never happened. He was convicted in 1984 of murdering 2-year-old Kenneth Buell based on testimony of treating physicians -- with no independent corroboration -- who were seeking to protect themselves from malpractice claims. His conviction was reversed without an evidentiary hearing based on insufficiency of the medical expert evidence. Ken Marsh and his attorney, Tracy Emblem, have generously made available extensive forensic resources utilized in his case for the benefit of other innocent people facing similar charges. Visit: Free Ken Marsh In 1999, Alan Yurko of Orlando, FL was convicted of shaking his 10-week-old son to death and sentenced to life without parole. But the autopsy performed by Dr. Stashio Gore doesn't come close to minimum standard of care -- and Dr. Gore admits to all the Bad Science. Link: Mary Beth Davis Convicted of a Murder That Never Happened Link: Alejandro Mendez A Misdiagnosis Leads to Capital Murder Charge California's 2nd Appellate District Court has overturned Jose Salazar's murder conviction in the death of Adriana Krygoski. That conviction was based on the testimony of LA Dep. Coroner James Ribe, who claimed that "shaken baby" injuries -- in this instance, intracranial bleeding -- could be accurately "timed" and therefore used to identify the assailant. This "theory" has been discredited by medical science. It is just one of numerous cases in which Dr. Ribe has woven a Web of Deceit. Victims of Dr. Joan Wood For nearly a quarter century, the citizens of Florida's Pinellas and Pasco Counties suffered with an incompetent and corrupt Medical Examiner, Dr. Joan Wood. Some suffered more than others. John Peel-David Long Little Donovan Wright’s death was a tragedy. The tragedy was compounded by the testimony of a medical expert who claimed he could reliably time Donovan's critical injury to a period when the child was in the care of his father, Doug Wright. Doug was convicted of killing his son. Now the doctor acknowledges his testimony was faulty; he was wrong. But he is unconcerned because he can't remember either Donovan or Doug. Forgotten by Justice UPDATE: 4/9/07- Old Report Brings New Hope for Doug Wright. A police accident report, withheld from the defense at the time of Doug's trial, proves that Donovan Wright was in a 99 mph car crash one month before his death. Donovan did not receive medical care immediately after the crash, and could have sustained his ultimately-fatal injuries in the wreck -- not at the hands of his father.................................................... UPDATE 9/16/2006 ALL OF NICOLES SYPMTOMS CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THIS ONE ARTICLE! PRAISE THE LORD!! Is It Child Abuse -- Or Something Else Entirely? by Susan Pearce VacLib Wyoming web page http://www.vaclib.org/chapter/wyhome.htm This was printed in the December, 2004, issue of The Paramedic, a British magazine of the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund, of England. Is It Child Abuse -- Or Something Else Entirely? by Susan Pearce Often a child will be thought to have been abused, when in fact low vitamin C stores, combined with the stresses of vaccination or infection, may have produced the physical signs suggesting abuse. Bruising, subdural hematoma, brain swelling, retinal hemorrhages, and even rib fractures are all signs of severe vitamin C deficiency, or infantile scurvy; but the need for blood vitamin C analysis and appropriate treatment may not be appreciated. A recent article by C. Alan B. Clemetson, M.D., [1] described signs like retinal petechiae, subdural hemorrhages, and broken bones, often thought to be indications of child abuse or trauma. He believes that these signs could be a result of a variant form of Barlow's disease. Dr. Clemetson stated that histamine levels are increased when a person has low levels of vitamin C. The high histamine levels become markedly increased because of infection or the injection of foreign proteins. He said that these high blood histamine levels due to infections or vaccinations in vitamin C-deficient infants can cause a variant of Barlow's disease, or infantile scurvy. This causes "weakness of the retinal vessels and the bridging veins and venules between the brain and the dura mater in infants." Clemetson explained that for the first 75 years of the last century, Barlow's disease was known to be characterized by broken bones, bruises, and sores that wouldn't heal. This disease was found in bottle-fed infants whose mothers did not supplement their babies' diets with orange juice as a source of vitamin C. Infants whose mothers boiled cow's milk also suffered from scurvy because boiling destroyed vitamin C in the milk. Dr. Clemetson discussed two papers written by two early shaken baby syndrome researchers, J. Caffey [1946] and H. Kempe [1962], in which both mentioned that the children that were considered battered could possibly have been suffering from infantile scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency disease. Clemetson felt that one reason that current researchers do not mention vitamin C deficiency in relation to shaken baby syndrome might be the erroneous belief that people no longer become vitamin C deficient. Since infants do not show signs of scurvy in their gums as adults do, it is difficult to clinically diagnose infants with scurvy. He said that laboratory analysis for plasma ascorbic acid or blood histamine levels is hardly ever done before making the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. Barlow's disease can be caused not only by a deficient intake of vitamin C in the diet, but also by infections and wounds that tend to rapidly deplete the body's stores of vitamin C. Other causes of low vitamin C that Clemetson listed include "trauma, surgery, cigarette smoke, hemolysis, heavy metals, and many drugs such as fenfluramine." He said that Barlow's disease can also result from malnutrition in the mother, by excessive vomiting during her pregnancy, and by infections in the mother and/or in the infant. Dr. Clemetson explained how even mild depletion of vitamin C can cause histamine levels in the blood to become elevated, which in turn causes capillaries to become fragile. This capillary fragility is a common characteristic of scurvy. In a section on vaccinations, in Clemetson's paper, he described how injection of foreign proteins into the body can result in increased levels of histamine in the blood. Most physicians know that, he said, but few know that histamine levels in human blood "are inversely proportional to the plasma vitamin C concentration." He said that people can be apparently healthy but still have severely low levels of vitamin C. These low levels are a common result of infection, injury, or surgery. He compared the low number of vaccinations given to infants at one time in the past, with the six that infants may now receive together at the age of two months. Clemetson believes that this many injections could be more than some infants who are low in vitamin C can handle. He has recently reviewed world scientific literature that shows that vitamin C significantly protects both animals and people from death and disability resulting from toxins and toxoids, including those found in vaccines. It is Dr. Clemetson's belief that many infant deaths are attributed to shaken baby syndrome when they were probably actually caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. His research has led him to suggest that before someone is accused of child abuse, there should be analyses done for plasma ascorbic acid and for blood histamine. The results of these tests need to be considered along with any other evidence that the child was abused. His question that needs to be answered is, "Were the capillaries of the retina and venules of the bridging veins strong enough to withstand normal handling?" He gave four suggestions that will reduce the risk of Barlow's disease. First, if
an infant is premature or shows any signs of illness, such as a cold,
vaccination should be postponed. Fourth, if the baby has a severe reaction like high-pitched crying or convulsions, he should be given an injection of more ascorbic acid. Another article by Clemetson, called "Was That Baby Really Shaken?" again discussed the need for "plasma ascorbic acid and whole blood histamine levels" to be investigated when a child is suspected of being shaken. He stated that there seems to be a new variant of Barlow's disease that appears earlier and develops faster. This new variant "does not show the usual radiological healing signs of calcification." Since "the typical white line between the epiphyses and the diaphyses of the long bones is not seen on the X-rays," physicians usually do not consider the possibility that it could be infantile scurvy. Dr. Clemetson pointed out that the ribs of infants suffering from scurvy can be cracked simply as a result of being lifted by the chest. He mentioned the story of a nurse lifting a baby's legs while changing its diaper. Since the baby had scurvy, the lifting caused the fracture of both femoral bones. He wonders if people who suspect shaken baby syndrome are aware of the fact that vitamin C content of orange juice can be drastically reduced within one month. This was revealed by a 2002 study, Clemetson said, done by Johnston and Bowling. [2] An article called "Shaken Baby Syndrome - The Vaccination Link" [3] by Viera Scheibner, PhD, explains some of the adverse events of vaccination that can be mistaken for child abuse. One example is: "Indeed, vaccines like the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine are actually used to induce encephalo-myelitis (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis) in laboratory animals (Levine and Sowinski, 1973 5). This is characterised by brain swelling and haemorrhaging of an extent similar to that caused by mechanical injuries (Iwasa et al., 1985 6)." Scheibner described another sign of a "direct reaction to the DPT vaccine." Brain swelling causes a bulging fontanelle, as revealed by Jacob and Mannino [4] in a seven-month-old child nine hours after being given its third DPT vaccine. Scheibner said that the baby also had fever and irritability. Scheibner stated in her article that another side-effect of many vaccines is thrombocytopenia, a blood-clotting disorder characterized by bruising and easy bleeding and by petechial, or spotlike, rash. She said that thrombocytopenia can result in brain and other haemorrhages. [5] In most of the rest of this article, I will use quotes and information directly from the writing of Harold E. Buttram, M.D., F.A.A.E.M. For the exact sources, please see the endnotes. It is customary for medical researchers to experiment by developing animal models of diseases before they begin human studies. Such animal models reveal that studies involving pertussis endotoxin show "reactions to pertussis which match each and every feature of brain injuries now represented in courts by prosecutors as proof of the Shaken Baby Syndrome." [6] There are studies that "stressed the finding of brain edema as a feature of pertussis-induced encephalopathy." His research of several sources showed that, "… brain edema in and of itself may result in both retinal and brain hemorrhages." Temporary brittle bone disease (TBBD), lack of vitamin C, and vaccination can cause fractures, hemorrhagic complications, etc. One of the primary roles of vitamin C in the body being that of producing and maintaining connective tissue, Dr. Kalokerinos hypothesized that with minor viral infections further depleting an already marginal store of vitamin C, the administration of endotoxin-bearing vaccines would sweep away the residual traces of vitamin C provoking fulminating scurvy with hemorrhagic complications from the of (sic) weakening of blood vessels. [6] Dr. Kalokerinos, practicing medicine in Australia in the 1970s, avoided vaccinating the children during minor illnesses. [6] Dr. Kalokerinos improved the nutrition of the aborigines and gave them regular vitamin C supplementation, which practically abolished infant mortality. Before his improvements, the child mortality rate had been about 50 percent in some areas. [7] Dr. Buttram co-authored an article with Alan R. Yurko, called "Childhood Immunizations and Abrupt-Onset Apnea," [8] that explained the manner in which vitamin C acts as an antioxidant by donating electrons, thus neutralizing unpaired electrons contained in free-radical molecular fragments. One of vitamin C's primary roles is to protect against the proliferation of free-radicals. As an electron-donating antioxidant, vitamin C "quench(es) free-radical inflammatory damage from infections and/or toxins, with our consideration here being vaccine toxins." Since the brain is so high in fat content, it is probably the most vulnerable to free-radical damage. If the unpaired electrons in free-radicals are not neutralized, the free-radicals are able to very quickly "react with and damage nearby molecules and cell membranes with a chain reaction of damage. When uncontrolled, these can be very destructive to the body, such as may take place when exposed to harmful radiation." Vitamin C becomes depleted because of its work in donating electrons. When the point is reached in which vitamin C can no longer protect the brain, since this organ is so susceptible to damage by toxins and infection, the brain may be vulnerable to free-radical damage. [9] This information on free-radicals is linked to vaccination. For these reasons, combinations of vaccines given to fragile infants may be an invitation to disaster with the brain being potentially subjected to a firestorm of free-radical inflammatory damage. Once this pattern has been set in motion, there is a variable latent period with gradual progression of inflammatory brain edema (swelling). The breathing center, located at the base of the brain, appears to be uniquely vulnerable to the process. This in turn may result in respiratory paralysis and collapse. In other instances there may be seizures. Among the cases of SBS that we have reviewed, this has been a common pattern, too frequent to be coincidental. [8] Dr. Buttram also wrote about free iron that is released from subdural hematomas, in an article entitled, "Does Free Iron in the Brain Interact with Vaccines to Trigger Lipid Peroxidation and Hemorrhagic Encephalopathy?" [10] In the section called Vaccines and Vitamin C Depletion, he explained that though 30 mg of vitamin C is usually sufficient for a healthy baby, when the infant is stressed, it could be quickly consumed. The stress causing this depletion could be "free iron in and around the brain, the injection of vaccine components, or other factors, especially in combination." Toxins and free-radical generators found in vaccines include "formaldehyde, mercury, aluminum, phenols, alcohols, mineral oil, antibiotics, bacterial endotoxins, and foreign viral DNA. Viral infections have been shown to reduce vitamin C levels by 50 percent." There is a lack of scientific studies needed to prove the causes of SIDS and of SBS. Vaccines are rarely even considered as a cause, but there are "animal models for vaccine-induced/endotoxemic hemorrhagic encephalopathy in the scientific literature." [10] These experiments have been done using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine, though the acellular pertussis vaccine is now being used. The use of many vaccines at one time has unknown consequences and could possibly be the same as or exceed the effects seen with use of the whole-cell pertussis vaccine. Dr. Buttram hopes that there will soon be "sober, objective, scientific investigation to find the underlying truth." [10] The signs that are commonly seen as shaken baby syndrome include a combination of three main physical manifestations. The first is subdural hematoma, the second is retinal hemorrhage, and the third is diffuse axonal injury, or DAI, which is the shearing (tearing) of the brain's long connecting nerve fibers (axons) that can occur with severe brain injury. In some cases of suspected child abuse, there might be rib or other fractures. [7] [The next several paragraphs will be from the same article – endnote 7.] There are few published vaccine adverse reaction studies that include "before-and-after studies of immune parameters or brain function studies such as electroencephalograms, or long-term safety monitoring." There has not been adequate consideration given to the synergistic adverse reactions to "multiple simultaneous vaccines, although in the case of toxic chemicals, two compounds together may be 10 times more toxic than either separately, or 3 compounds 100 times more toxic." Dr. Buttram hopes that in the future, attention will be given to "the possibility that the various vaccines, given in combination, may be synergistic in causing hypersensitivity and autoimmunity." The Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and the pertussis vaccines, and possibly others, "are noted for their sensitizing potencies" and they are routinely administered to infants at the same time. Retinal hemorrhages have been attributed to many causes, two of which are MMR and DTP vaccines. In studies performed on laboratory animals, vaccines such as pertussis have been shown to induce allergic encephalomyelitis. The resulting damage to the animals' brains was similar to those caused by mechanical injuries. In these studies,
the vaccine reactions included brain swelling and hemorrhaging. Many cases
of shaken baby syndrome could be the adverse effects of certain highly
potent vaccines given to infants at the same time. The hepatitis B vaccine
might be one. Its side effects could include "hemorrhagic vasculopathies,
autoimmune reactions, [and] neuropathies." Those of the Hib vaccine
and the tetanus vaccine might include hypersensitization, and the pertussis
vaccine could cause "hypersensitization, brain edema, and the effects
of endotoxin in causing vascular inflammation and hyper-coagulability."
The syndrome that appears in an infant within 12 days of vaccination may
actually be adverse reactions. The brain edema and the blood vessel inflammation
may be increasing "fragility and friability of blood vessel walls,"
which could lead to "spontaneous hemorrhages from a shearing of subdural
blood vessels and the development of subdural hematomas, thus mimicking
what is now thought to represent the SBS." The reason these findings
are presently not acknowledged is that they are not sought. For the sake
of those who are unjustly imprisoned for shaken baby syndrome, and for
those who will be convicted of SBS in the future, the current situation
should be investigated. Dr. Buttram also discussed rib and other fractures.
A study was described involving 2,080 children who had been seen at a
pediatric trauma center. Out of 33 children who had multiple rib fractures,
in 85 percent of the cases, the children also had severe internal thoracic
injuries. In the remaining 15 percent, it appeared that the fractures
were spontaneous, with no internal injuries, making it likely that they
were not caused by abuse. Two occasions when spontaneous fractures are
apt to occur include when the person develops scurvy or when he has temporary
brittle bone disease (TBBD). He mentioned "imperfect connective tissue
formation in fetal or infant skeletal tissue." There were 26 infants
whose fractures "fit the criteria of TBBD." In these babies,
the study found a clear "association between TBBD and decreased fetal
movement during pregnancy, which might occur in extreme prematurity, multiple-birth
pregnancies, and chronic oligohydramnios as a result of inadequate uterine
space for fetal movement." Low levels of vitamin C might lead to
"inadequate connective tissue formation" in the fetal bones.
This would make them weaker, possibly resulting in "green-stick fractures
and/or metaphyseal plate (costochrondal junction) slippages in utero or
during the mechanical stresses of childbirth." A trial of a man accused
of shaking his baby was discussed, in which the rib fractures that the
infant had suffered could have been caused by scurvy. In the trial, Dr.
Kalokerinos read from an older text which described scurvy. The text stated:
Scurvy disrupts these areas, the bone breaks down, and the ribs may over-ride,
forming in typical cases 'beads.' Then healing commences with new bone
formation looking just like true healing fractures. Furthermore, not all
the ribs may be involved in this process, and the changes will not all
occur at the same time --- giving the appearance of multiple fractures
of different ages. [11] The section on rib and skeletal fractures ended
with Buttram's statement that a study of Australian children which showed
X-ray evidence of "multiple metaphyseal plate fractures" casts
doubt on the acceptance of these fractures as evidence of battering. He
feels that such fractures which can occur as a result of scurvy do not
cause the child "undue trauma." The article briefly mentioned
the sensitizing, potent neurotoxin, mercury, "one of the most toxic
of the heavy metals." In a 1955 study, 83 children were given electroencephalograms
both before and after being injected with pertussis vaccine. Two of the
83 children showed abnormal EEGs as a result of the vaccination. These
two did not have other signs or symptoms, which suggested that they suffered
"mild but possibly significant cerebral reactions." These mild
reactions occurred "in addition to the reported very severe neurological
changes." [12] This study has enormous implications, since there
are many "children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder, previously called 'minimal brain dysfunction.'" Greg Wilson
was quoted as saying, "Studies such as Low's which closely examine
individual children, are extremely rare in the study of vaccine reactions
and virtually nonexistent in today's literature." [13] Buttram searched
the literature for more such studies and only found one, from Japan. The
61 children in that study, who had a history of epilepsy and febrile seizures,
but who had not had seizures for one year, were vaccinated. The study
revealed a reappearance of epileptic spikes after 10 vaccinations, and
also an increase after 10 of the 73 vaccines that were given. Three of
the vaccines in the study were DTaP, diphtheria/tetanus, and Bacillus
Calmette-Guerin. [14] Dr. Buttram concluded the article by stating that
shaken baby syndrome theories are undocumented and faulty. Since many
SBS convictions have been based upon these theories, these children's
deaths or injuries, when properly diagnosed, could have been vaccine injury.
One of the most widely-known cases of alleged shaken baby syndrome is
that of Alan Yurko. Details of the events that have changed his life are
given at the following web site: http://www.freeyurko.bizland.com/. Also,
failure to thrive can be linked to vaccination, but the parent might be
charged with neglect. Another example of possible vaccine-related illness
was shared with me by a Wyoming state representative. He recently gave
me an example of a family whose five-year-old was taken away, traumatizing
the family, because of bruising on the body. It was later discovered that
the child had leukemia, causing the bruising. Please consider this: Dr.
Frederick Klenner, Polio Researcher, USA, said, "Many here voice
a silent view that the Salk and Sabin Polio vaccine, being made of monkey
kidney tissue has been directly responsible for the major increase in
leukemia in this country." [15] A recent article written by Ronald
Uscinski, M.D., F.A.C.S., called "The Shaken Baby Syndrome"
describes research that has been done on whether or not a person can cause
intracranial injury in an infant. Lab investigations that were "based
on the known biomechanics of head injuries" demonstrated that "human
beings cannot achieve the necessary accelerations for causing intracranial
injury in infants by manual shaking alone, but that impact is required."
Dr. Uscinski believes that, though it is commendable to want to protect
children, we need to base our accusations of child abuse upon facts that
are verified by both clinical observation and scientific tests. [16] In
an article called, "Shaken Baby Syndrome and VAERS: A Review and
Analysis," F. Edward Yazbak, M.D., F.A.A.P., gave several suggestions
to keep in mind if someone who is innocent is suspected of child abuse.
His information can be seen at http://www.redflagsweekly.com/conferences/shaken_baby/sept08_Yazbak.html.
According to Howard Fishman, M.Ed., M.S.W., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
British courts are doing a better job of taking seriously the false accusations
by the prosecution in SBS cases than is the United States. In Britain,
there have been quite a few convictions that have been based on a charge
of "intending to pervert the course of justice." He told about
an attorney named Sally Clark, of Britain, accused of murder in an SBS
case, whose conviction was reversed. The appeal court condemned the testimony
of three experts who had tried to use "scientifically unfounded testimony"
which "was exposed as fraudulent and reprehensible," to convict
this loving mother. It is Fishman's contention that until American judges
and juries do as the British are doing, the U.S. courts will continue
to have few "examples of clear-sighted and just verdicts …
in the child abuse arena." [17] In the Buttram and Yurko article,
"Childhood Immunizations and Abrupt-Onset Apnea," [8] hearings
were described, which have been held since 1999 in the U.S. Congress,
dealing with vaccine safety. These hearings have revealed that safety
studies have been inadequate, having been limited to short periods. Since
there have been no long-term safety studies on any particular childhood
vaccine being used today, it can be concluded that scientific evidence
does not support the safety of vaccinations. Controlled, systematic studies
need to be completed, comparing vaccinated with completely non-vaccinated
children, that will show the effects of vaccination on the brain, as well
as on the neurologic, immune, and hematologic systems of infants and children.
A study was discussed in which 11 healthy adults had been vaccinated with
a routine tetanus booster. They experienced a significant reduction in
T-helper lymphocytes. The study revealed that four of the subjects had
temporary, reduced levels of those lymphocytes to levels found in patients
with active AIDS. The four who had this serious, though temporary, consequence
of the tetanus vaccine, were healthy adults. What are we to think of the
multiple vaccines injected into our infants and children with their immature
immune systems? This study was reported in 1984, but Buttram has searched
for further research and has never found any that repeated that one, or
that carried it further by studying the effects upon children. [18] The
larger issue is that of vaccine safety studies. [7] I believe that all
of the researchers I have studied concerning shaken baby syndrome would
agree that there is a dearth of reliable long-term scientific studies,
comparing vaccinated with totally unvaccinated people. I join these researchers
in their hope that this situation will soon be rectified. In the meantime,
their suggestions that certain tests be done before suspecting a person
of child abuse, are reasonable. The good news is that -- Dr. Clemetson
believes that: most of these inoculation reactions and subsequent disabilities
could be prevented by giving infants 500 mg of vitamin C powder in fruit
juice to drink within a day or two before vaccination. Vitamin C has been
shown to be protective against vaccine reactions due to the toxins of
all bacteria and viruses that have been tested in all animal studies.
One wonders why the Centers for Disease Control has not yet advocated
the administration of this vitamin before all vaccinations. [19] ......................................................................................................................
9/12/2007 In 1995 Douglas Carlson was wrongly convicted of 1st degree
murder. He is serving life in prison. He was convicted in Idaho, but he
has been in Texas for the last two years. I know the details of Doug's
case and yet have decided to wait for his letter containing his story
in his own words. Because I have just got his website up and running I
thank you for your Patience in waiting on his full story. I can share
with you though that Douglas was saved June 27Th 2003 and was from that
moment on a new creation in Jesus Christ! In the last four years Doug
has spent his time in the prison starting dog programs. He was first a
big part of starting the dog program here in Idaho, that saves dogs from
shelters etc, and trains them to be a welcome and desired family pet.
When they moved him to Texas he wrote up a plan to have a dog program
there also. He was allowed to propose his idea to the warden and from
there they helped him to make the contacts needed through the humane society,
etc. to see his plan through to what it is today! Paws in Prison! I can't
put into words how proud I am of Doug for his hard work and great attitude,
about his situation. I am excited to start getting his pictures posted
and his own words. I hope and pray for as many Christian Brothers and
Sisters as God wills to come to his page and befriend him, or anyone who
supports the wrongly convicted. God Bless You! If you are interested in
watching a video of Doug in the the PAWS IN PRISON program copy and past
the link below in your address bar. Pray we can post this video on his
page soon, until then just copy, paste & enjoy! http://www.lubbockonline.com/slideshows/06-15PawsinPrison/
Feb 15 2008 9:41 AM Larry Rush, aka, Leroy
Thomas, a 48-year old African/Indian American, is an innocent man who
has been on DEATH ROW since 1988 without ever being head in any court
- NEVER! He is seeking you help in an attempt to raise $3,500.00 so he
can fight to be heard for the first time in over 20 years in federal court. I NEED A LAWYER TO
ARGUE MY DISPOSITION IN COURT
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