Untitled Document

What happens when an infant/toddler is shaken
(thanks to dontshake.com for this video)

Shaken baby syndrome
When a baby is shaken:
The brain rotates within the skull cavity, injuring or destroying brain tissue.
When shaking occurs, blood vessels feeding the brain can be torn, leading to bleeding around the brain.
Blood pools within the skull, sometimes creating more pressure within the skull and possibly causing additional brain damage.
Retinal (back of the eye) bleeding is common.
(Source: National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome)

PLEASE READ
We never want this to happen to another child.

My name is Sarah
I am but three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,

I must be stupid,
I must be bad,
What else could have made
My daddy so mad?

I wish I were better,
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my Mommy
Would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all,
I can't do a wrong
Or else I'm locked up
All the day long.

When I awake I'm all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home.

When my Mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just
One whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse
My name he calls
I press myself
Against the wall.

I try and hide
From his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry.

He finds me weeping
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault
That he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And I run for the door

He's already locked it
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!", I scream
But its now much too late
His face has been twisted
Into unimaginable hate.

The hurt and the pain
Again and again
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!

And he finally stops
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless
Sprawled on the floor.

My name is Sarah
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT CHILD ABDUCTION AND EXPLOITATION
*     Know where your children are at all times. Be familiar with their friends and daily activities. Teach your child if he
Or she becomes lost to quickly tell a policeman that he or she needs help.
Be sensitive to changes in your children's behavior; they are a signal that you should sit down and talk to them.
Be alert to a teenager or adult who is paying an unusual amount of attention to your children or giving them inappropriate or expensive gifts.
*        Teach your children to trust their own feelings, and assure them that they have the right to say no to what they
Sense is wrong.
*        Listen carefully to your children's fears, and be supportive in all your discussions with them.
*        Teach your children that no one should approach them or touch them in a way that makes them feel
Uncomfortable. If someone does, they must tell you immediately.
Be careful about babysitters and any other individuals who have custody of your children. Obtain references from people you trust and see if you can have access to background screening information about these individuals. Many states give people access to sex offender registries and criminal histories.
BASIC RULES OF SAFETY FOR CHILDREN
As soon as your children can articulate a sentence, they can begin the process of learning how to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation.
Children should be taught
'     If you are in a public place, and you get separated from your parents, don't wander around looking for them. Go to a checkout counter, the security office, or the lost and found and quickly tell the person in charge that you have lost your mom and dad and need help finding them.
*        You should not get into a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents have told you that it is okay.
*        If someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay away from him or her. You should not get close to any car, unless
Your parent or a trusted adult accompanies you.
*        Grownups and others who need help should not ask children for help; they should ask older people.
No one should ask you for directions or for help looking for a "lost puppy", or tell you that your mother or father is in trouble and that he or she will take you to them.
*        If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away from him (or her) and yell or scream, "This man
(woman) is trying to take me away" or "This person is not my father (mother)."
*        You should try to take a friend with you, and never go places alone.
*        Always ask your parents' permission to leave the yard or play area or to go into someone's home.
«    Never hitchhike or try to get a ride home with anyone unless your parents have told you it is okay to ride with him or her.
*        If someone wants to take your picture, tell him or her no and tell your parents or teacher.
*        No one should touch you in the parts of the body that would be covered by a bathing suit, nor should you touch
Anyone else in those areas. Your body is special and private.
Children should be taught If you are in a public place, and you get separated from your parents, don' be afraid to get help immediately. You can be assertive, and you have the right to say no to someone who tries to take you somewhere, touches you, or makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused in any way.

There are thousands of kids out there just like Sarah. And you can help. Become a member of Miranda Joy Foundation and help us to stop this from happening.

IF NOTHING ELSE REMEMBER TO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW:

IT IS NEVER, NEVER OKAY
TO SHAKE OR HURT A CHILD