Below are personal stories from Idaho parents, whose children were shaken.
All of these children did not have to suffer from such a preventable tragedy...
NEVER EVER SHAKE BABY
Lauren Whaley aka "God's Little Miracle" - shaken at 5 1/2 months - Survivor
Twin Falls, Idaho
My baby girl was born in February 2007. She weighed 7 pounds
8 ounces and was the light of my life. I loved her more than life itself and she brought so much joy into our hearts. I stayed home with her for the first three months of her life and then had to return to work. I chose a person who I thought I could trust to take care of my daughter just as I would, but soon learned I was wrong!
Click here to read more of Lauren's story.
8 ounces and was the light of my life. I loved her more than life itself and she brought so much joy into our hearts. I stayed home with her for the first three months of her life and then had to return to work. I chose a person who I thought I could trust to take care of my daughter just as I would, but soon learned I was wrong!
Click here to read more of Lauren's story.
Luke - shaken at 14 months - Blessed Survivor
Idaho Falls, Idaho
August 2005
I had gone back to work when Luke was 6 months old. Usually my mother watched him while I was working but she was out of town that weekend, so I left my dear boy with another trusted family member. I returned home that night to find Luke vomiting and fussy. Later as his condition worsened and my mother returned, we took him to the emergency room. There he was examined and given a CAT scan, and that's when the doctor told me my child had been shaken and his brain was swollen and bleeding.
Click hear to read more of Luke's story.
I had gone back to work when Luke was 6 months old. Usually my mother watched him while I was working but she was out of town that weekend, so I left my dear boy with another trusted family member. I returned home that night to find Luke vomiting and fussy. Later as his condition worsened and my mother returned, we took him to the emergency room. There he was examined and given a CAT scan, and that's when the doctor told me my child had been shaken and his brain was swollen and bleeding.
Click hear to read more of Luke's story.
Lilyonna - shaken at 10 months - Survivor
Garden City, Idaho
On March 16, 2009, my life changed in a way I never thought possible.
At that time I was attending Marian Pritchett School, an alternative high school for pregnant and parenting teens and raising my 10-month-old daughter. My daughter Lilyonna attended daycare at my school. I had maxed out my absences and couldn’t miss any more classes without losing credit.
I woke up very late for school and was stressed out about losing credit. My boyfriend, who was living with my family, pointed out that I didn’t have time to get Lilyonna and me ready; I would be very late. He offered to watch Lily while I went to school for two hours. By this time my family and I trusted him with my daughter and I felt that it would be safe to leave her with him for short periods of time. Before I left for school I wrote down the phone number for my mom’s, my grandma’s, and my cell phones. I also left him the school number and told him that if he couldn’t handle it to call I or my mom and one of us would come home. He said ok and not to worry, and that everything would be fine.
Click here to read more of Lilyonna's story.
At that time I was attending Marian Pritchett School, an alternative high school for pregnant and parenting teens and raising my 10-month-old daughter. My daughter Lilyonna attended daycare at my school. I had maxed out my absences and couldn’t miss any more classes without losing credit.
I woke up very late for school and was stressed out about losing credit. My boyfriend, who was living with my family, pointed out that I didn’t have time to get Lilyonna and me ready; I would be very late. He offered to watch Lily while I went to school for two hours. By this time my family and I trusted him with my daughter and I felt that it would be safe to leave her with him for short periods of time. Before I left for school I wrote down the phone number for my mom’s, my grandma’s, and my cell phones. I also left him the school number and told him that if he couldn’t handle it to call I or my mom and one of us would come home. He said ok and not to worry, and that everything would be fine.
Click here to read more of Lilyonna's story.
Jackson - shaken at 3 months - Survivor
Firth, Idaho
Jackson Alexander Greer was born September 21st, 2009. He was a beautiful, healthy 6lbs. 15oz. boy. Jackson was always a great baby, a mama's boy from day 1. We did have troubles finding a formula that would work with his digestive system. Jackson only cried during diaper change, wanting to be held, or if he had a stomach ache. All those can be easily taken care of, patience is key to having children.
I went back to work when Jackson was 6 weeks old. One of my friends was opening her own daycare and wanted to watch my boys to get started. She had 2 kids of her own. She never once told me she couldn't handle Jackson.
Click here to read more of Jackson's story.
I went back to work when Jackson was 6 weeks old. One of my friends was opening her own daycare and wanted to watch my boys to get started. She had 2 kids of her own. She never once told me she couldn't handle Jackson.
Click here to read more of Jackson's story.