Male Caretakers Common Thread In Baby Abuse Deaths

[TomTerrific0420]

INDIANAPOLIS -- The recent death of an
8-month-old infant, authorities say at the hands of his mother's
boyfriend, underscores a common thread in the abuse of babies.Indiana
child protection experts said in many cases, the male caretakers of
infants and babies are responsible for abuse that severely injuries of
kills children. Experts point to many instances over the years,
including the death of Carter McCord. Aaron Spears, 31, the boyfriend of
the infant's mother, was held on neglect, battery and criminal
recklessness charges. Those charges will likely be upgraded because the
child died days after the abuse, police said.
Male caretakers often have no experience with a baby and get easily fed up with a child's cry."Often
what we hear is that the unrelated male gets irritated and angry," said
Roberta Hibbard, director of the Child Protection Program at Riley
Hospital for Children. "'Why am I here taking care of someone else's
baby when I would rather be out doing something else?'"Hibbard
teaches parenting skills to help people cope with the babies in their
lives."Crying does not hurt a baby. How you react to that crying
could potentially kill the baby," she said.Spears told police
that the baby suddenly lost consciousness, but medics said that it
appeared the child had suffered severe injuries. Experts said violent
shaking of the child is generally the culprit.In a program called
Think First, a doll is used to demonstrate how shaking triggers damage
to the brain.Experts said child abusers often have a history of
violence that is ignored by parents."Someone who has been
involved in physically abusive acts -- domestic violence -- those are
not the people that you want to leave your young baby with, because they
may not be able to control their own emotions," Hibbard said.Signs
of child abuse include unexplained injuries or bruising. The child may
be lethargic or have seizures.