KARMEN JOHNSON - 17 days/ Accused: Michael Suchodolski - Grand Rapids MI

Infant shaken; dad faces 15 years
Karmen Johnson expected to survive

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A month-old infant is in serious condition and her father is behind bars accused of shaking her because she wouldn't stop crying.

Michael Suchodolski faces up to 15 years in prison if he's convicted of two felony charges of child abuse causing injury. Police said he shook the baby, Karmen Johnson, when she was 17 days old. When he realized she was injured he took her to the hospital.

Hospital officials contacted authorities with their suspicions.

The girl is expected to survive. It is unknown how much brain damage she suffered.

The baby's mother, Samantha Johnson, posted pictures of her injured newborn on her Facebook page , along with her frustrations:

I cry everyday seeing my baby girl in here, knowing the one person I could trust hurt her and he didn't have a care in the world if she made it. I have so much hate and pain.

The incident happened early in October, police said, at his home on Dorchester in Grand Rapids.

Child abuse cases in Kent County spiked in 2009:

In 2008, there were 61 child abuse cases
In 2009, there were 92
In 2010, there were 64.

Prosecutor Helen Brinkman said that while every case is different, many may be attributable to increased stress at home, which is more prevalent in a down economy.


http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/Infant-shaken-dad-faces-15-years

Blue Justice for Karmen Johnson Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Justice-for-Karmen-and-Michael-Jr/132289803542812

Includes photo of the precious baby girl