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Milo’s mother seemed to be on her way to making a good life for her and her son.  Working full time and going to school, Samantha Hanson was close to achieving that dream with the help of friends and family.  Some of that support came from her best friend, Brianna Cottrell, 21, who had helped out with babysitting Milo.  Cottrell lived with her boyfriend, Jared Daniel Billette, 23, and it was in Billette’s care that Milo died.

According to police records, Cottrell last saw the infant when she left for her job in the same apartment complex where she and Billette lived.  Around noon, she called to check on the baby and her boyfriend told her that the baby was unresponsive.  She called 911 and rushed to her apartment.  Paramedics arrived and transported Milo to a local hospital where doctors determined that he had suffered a massive brain injury.

An expert in abusive head trauma in infants found Milo suffered a “massive, global brain injury,” which was likely caused by “a combination of severe rotational forces and massive impact to the head,” charges state.

The trauma could only have been carried out by a person with “adult strength” and could not have been caused by an accident, the expert told police.

A pediatric neurosurgeon who operated on Milo’s skull to relieve swelling in hopes of saving his life called the injuries “the worst case of an inflicted brain trauma in a child” he had ever seen, charges state.

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Milo died two days after his injury and his organs were donated.

Initially Billette would say that he didn’t know how Milo was injured but later would say that the baby was accidentally hurt when Billette was playing with him and accidentally hit his head against the edge of a table.

Originally charged with first degree felony murder, he later plead guilty to first degree felony child abuse which carries a sentence of five years to life.  He will be sentenced after the first of the year.

Tags: Milo Lynn Doxey

This is one of the most moving and insightful tributes I have ever read.  I reprint it here in honor of Jared and in hopes that someone who reads it will stop another tragedy like his from occurring.

HAMPTON – Jared Nicholas Patton, born Oct. 6, 2006, died Dec. 11, 2009.
It is believed by many that a true warrior crossed over to the place that God needed him most on Friday afternoon, Dec. 11, 2009. Jared suffered a severe brain injury at the early age of six weeks. All indications proved that Jared should have been at least institutionalized if indeed he made it at all. After many life threatening medical procedures at such an early age, it was clear that Jared wasn’t finished on his journey here. Never able to speak a word, he taught numbers of people vital lessons that they would have never received elsewhere. He seemed to be a professor of unconditional love. You had to leave his presence with a deeper understanding of the principals: Compassion, Wisdom, Tolerance, and Patience. Shortly after a tragic physical event, his smile would light up the heart of whoever was lucky enough to be around. Jared loved family time at night when he would sit in his Nina’s lap and wait on the popcorn being prepared by his Grandpa Steve, so that they could watch HGTV, unless the Colts or the Orioles might happen to be playing. The Family feels so blessed to have had so much time to spend with their little gladiator.
Kathy and Steve Stowe would like to thank everyone who prayed so consistently for Jared, especially our friends of Bill W. They are grateful for the unrelenting medical help from Dr. Leila Binder, and her staff, the staff at MCV where Jared was airlifted the day he was injured, and everyone at CHKD for the expertise throughout his fight. His loving and dedicated physical therapist, Maryann McCarthy, the dedicated nurses at Maxim Health Care, the entire staff at Poquoson Pharmacy for doing whatever it took to keep Jared’s meds prepared.
Jared’s Nina, Kathy Stowe, was his constant care giver and soul mate who portrayed relentless energy by loving and caring for Jared. She will miss his physical presence to a great degree, but will forever hear the echoes of his spirit deep within her. His mama, Nicole Patton loved her youngest son with all her heart and will miss his big open mouthed kisses the most. He was her heart and there he will always stay. His Grandfather, Steve Stowe, will be forever grateful to Jared for showing him it is possible to drop your guard and put fear to the side in order to give and receive unconditional love.
He will be missed very much by his big brother, Jacob Patton, and his brother, Austin Fagan. He also leaves behind with much sadness his Aunt Tee Tee, Erin Palmer and her son, Aiden Palmer, and paternal grandfather Randy Palmer. He very much loved and will be missed by his huge extended family, Patrick, Susie, Elizabeth, Victoria, and Jeremy Piper. He also leaves behind his Aunt Teeny Stowe, and the many other family members.
His Uncle Pete Benoit and wife, Liz, were constant visitors. As Pete and Jared would have discussions about the many missions around the world they shared while everyone else was sleeping. The Benoit children, David, Joey, and Gabrielle will miss Jared as well. Jared is responsible for the non-profit organization, Shaken Baby Syndrome of Virginia, which promotes education and awareness on the consequences of Shaken Baby Syndrome, and What to do when a Baby Cries.
Delegate, Glen Oder is planning to introduce new legislation in January, 2010 to press for mandatory education on SBS. Special thanks to the Daily Press and their talented columnists for the various articles they shared with readers. If possible, go to the web site ShakenBabyVA.com and meet Jared personally, or even make a donation to help keep our vision alive. Please remind young parents and care givers to NEVER NEVER NEVER SHAKE A BABY.
Jared’s life will be celebrated 2 p.m. Tuesday at Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions, 2609 Cunningham Dr. in Hampton, 757-825-8070. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

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Jared was the victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome which occurred when he was only six weeks old.  His perpetrator was his father who was sentenced to only five years for this horrendous crime.

Jared’s sentence was one of life and despite the progresses he made, he never overcame the traumatic injury he had received.

The Daily Press has more information on Jared’s case.

This is a related article, as well:   Preventing Child Abuse

Tags: Jared Nicholas Patton

Apple Inc. pulled a 99-cent iPhone game called “Baby Shaker” from its iTunes store Wednesday after its premise — quiet a crying baby with a vigorous shake — prompted outrage.

According to screen shots posted on several Web sites, “Baby Shaker” displayed black-and-white line drawings of a baby. The iTunes description included the line, “See how long you can endure his or her adorable cries before you just have to find a way to quiet the baby down!” Once the iPhone owner finishes shaking the device, the on-screen baby is depicted with large red X’s over its eyes.

Public outcry ensued, with organizations including the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation condemning Apple for approving the game’s sale.

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Too many children die every year as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome.  A game that tends to minimize the brutality of this action should not be on anyone’s telephone.

Tags: Add new tag, Shaken Baby Syndrome

Even at seventeen months, Zachary’s life had not been idyllic.  Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) removed Zachary and his two year-old brother, Austin, from their parent’s care and placed them with family members.

Their two sons were initially placed in the custody of their great-uncle and great-aunt, Linda and Tom Page.  DCF would later move the boys in the care of the Wyrosdicks, their uncle and aunt.  Even after being moved from their home the Pages continued contact with Zachary and Austin.  They blame DCF’s lack of oversight for the toddler’s death.

“We were shocked,” Page said, adding that she and her husband provided for the boys even after DCF moved them.

“For the past year, we provided diapers, food and formula for the kids. We saw the kids regularly,” Page said.

When asked if she believed Zachary would still be alive had the children remained in her home, Linda Page said, “I can tell you there wouldn’t be a shaken baby situation.”

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Earl and Clarissa Johnson, Zachary and Austin’s biological parents were arrested for grad theft auto, credit card fraud, and petty theft. The Johnson’s were released from incarceration in September and began to have visits with their sons. They began to make complaints to DCF when their visitations began to be cut short by the guardians and the home was dirty.   It was also reported that the boys were locked in their room for long periods of time with only Cheerios to eat.

The allegations did not stop what happened to Zachary, however who was declared brain dead after being flow to Tampa General Hospital.

Wyrosdick, 32, initially told investigators that the toddler had fallen on a coffee table and allowed law enforcement to videotape a reenact of the fall that caused Zachary’s injuries.  Following the interview, Zachary was pronounced dead and the susequent autopsy ruled that his death was caused by “shaken baby syndrom or a blow from an offender.”  Wyrosdick then admitted to the injuries that resulted in the death of Zachary.

An arrest affidavit prepared by Lakeland police said detectives interviewed Wyrosdick three times and in the final interview he provided details of the infant’s death.

Wyrosdick told detectives he was caring for the toddler Thursday and became angry with Zachary for not sitting down at a children’s picnic table. He picked up the boy and shook him, causing his head to snap back and forth, he told investigators, according to an arrest affidavit.

Wyrosdick then ‘violently placed Zachary back on the seat,’ and he said the boy fell from the picnic table, striking the back left of his head on the corner of a coffee table, the police report said.

Wyrosdick then picked up ‘Zachary and violently shook him a second time before grabbing him by his left arm in an effort to make Zachary walk,’ the report said. Wyrosdick told detectives the boy’s head hit the railing twice.

The affidavit said Wyrosdick then dropped the child three times on the floor, before violently shaking Zachary again and then dropping the child ‘from a distance of a few feet to as high as several feet in the air.’

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Even though it is Wyrosdick has been charged with manslaughter in the case, many familiar with the situation blame DCF for Zachary’s death as well.

Tags: Zachary Cole Johnson