GAVEN HENDERSON - 3 Weeks - Scottsburg (I-65 N of Louisville) IN

An autopsy performed revealed that a Scott County infant died from blunt force trauma, specifically from a closed head injury.
No charges have been filed in this case.
When Indiana State Police complete their investigation, they will turn the results over to the Scott County Prosecutor's Office.
The infant's neighbors are having a tough time coping with his death.
Shortly after little 7-pound-2 ounce Gaven Henderson arrived on Dec.
4, his neighbors in Scottsburg had a chance to welcome him into the
world.
“You look at his toes. You smell the top of his head. That kind of
thing,” said neighbor Michelle Kizziah. “Everybody loves holding a baby
and that's what we were doing. Passing him back and forth.”
But Gaven, who was born in Advent, never saw his first Christmas.
His mother called 9-1-1 after reportedly finding him unresponsive in a home on West Walnut Street late Tuesday night.
He was taken to Scott Memorial Hospital and later Kosair Children’s Hospital, where he died Dec. 22.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was a closed head injury resulting from blunt force trauma.
“It's hard to believe. Hard to wrap your head around,” said Kizziah.
Scottsburg Fire Chief James Richey lives across the street.
“Usually we run all emergency calls. I noticed we weren't called to that, so I was kind of shocked about that,” said Richey.
Chief Richey says he didn't find out about the child's injuries until the next day.
“We looked out the window and noticed there were several unmarked
state police officers out here. They looked to be messing around the
house,” he said.
“Obviously we want to try to find out who was responsible for it and
obviously stand up for the 18-day-old child, so he can have his
justice,” said Sgt. Jerry Goodin of the Indiana State Police.
We have been told that another special needs child lives in the home.
No one was there when we stopped by today.
A hanger from a social services agency was on the front door.
“No matter what happened, whatever they find out, it's a horrible
tragedy. And nobody should every have to go through that,” said Kizziah.
We tried to talk to the baby's paternal grandfather, but he indicated
his attorney advised him not to speak about the situation at this time.

Exclusive: father seeks justice after 18-day-old son is killed

Posted: Apr 04, 2012 10:53 PM EST Updated: Jul 18, 2012 1:37 PM EST

 

Travis Thieneman holds his young son before his death in December 2010.

SCOTTSBURG, IN (WAVE) - The father of an 18-day-old infant is seeking justice, after his son was killed back in December of 2010.

"I was hoping to have a long, healthy life with him and that was taken away from me and my whole too early," said the father, Travis Thieneman.

The case seems to have gone cold, with no leads, no arrests, and no one named responsible for his gruesome death.

"Multiple blunt force trauma. Fractured skull and four broken ribs and hemorrhaging all up and down his spine. Beaten severely," Thieneman said.

Thieneman and the baby's mother -- Shannon Michelle Henderson -- were separated at the time; meaning only the mother and a six year old were in the house at the time.

"We were together for a total of eight months and split up shortly before she found out she was pregnant," he said.

Thieneman was in the process of filing for custody when he got the phone call.

"The baby wasn't acting right is what she told me when she called," he said.

He says he's doubted the story Henderson told police, but the case still remains cold.

WAVE 3 went to talk to her, but she has since been arrested on unrelated charges.

Her background has several chapters, including drug, alcohol, and theft charges.
Thieneman said once he learned that, he tried to get custody of his child.

"I took every route possible that I could and basically ran into a wall at every turn," he said.

As he waits for closure in this case from the Scott County Prosecutor's Office, he's filed a lawsuit against Child Protective Services.

"I had called twice while Gaven was alive and both my calls were dismissed," he said.

While he can't change the past, he's hoping to help protect other children in the future from an agency he says is broken.

"The system obviously isn't working in the favor of the children," he said.

The Scott County Prosecutor wasn't available for an interview, but says the case remains under investigation.

He adds that he expects an announcement about it within the next 30 to 60 days.

Meanwhile, Thieneman says his case against CPS goes to court in early 2013.

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/17338414/exclusive-father-seeks-justice-after-18-day-old-son-is-killed?clienttype=printable