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FALSE ALLEGATIONS IN THE NEWS

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This archive of news articles includes publications that discuss wrongful allegations of child abuse or neglect, medical conditions that present as symptoms of abuse, news regarding child protective services, policy changes, stories about reunification, events and other topics. For any content-related inquiries or suggestions regarding articles in this archive, contact us here

Finally, a Judge Calls Shaken Baby Diagnosis an “Article of Faith”

Finally, a Judge Calls Shaken Baby Diagnosis an “Article of Faith” and frees Jennifer Del Prete, who was sentenced for murder 10 years ago.

Deborah Tuerkheimer

Slate

5/1/14

‘Shaken baby syndrome’ and the flawed science in our criminal courts

‘Shaken baby syndrome’ and the flawed science in our criminal courts

Jennifer Del Prete has been behind bars for more than a decade for murdering 14-month-old Isabella Zielinski. Del Prete was convicted of first-degree murder after the jurors in her Illinois trial heard testimony about “shaken baby syndrome,” or SBS.

Radley Balko

The Washington Post

2/21/14

Many Experts Have Discredited Shaken Baby Syndrome. So Why Is Maria Mendez Still in Prison?

Many Experts Have Discredited Shaken Baby Syndrome. So Why Is Maria Mendez Still in Prison?

The story that distraught Maria Mendez told doctors and detectives at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center seven years ago has never varied, not even on the day she rejected a chance at probation by refusing to say she'd killed her grandson.

Beth Barrett

LA Weekly

11/7/13

Retrial for man convicted in ‘shaken baby’ case

A father convicted of shaking his infant daughter to death has been granted a retrial by Sweden's Supreme Court (Högsta domstolen) in a case that could result in a re-examination of other cases of "shaken baby syndrome".

The Local SE

1/9/13

The accused

The accused

A teenage baby sitter’s life takes a surprising turn after a toddler in his care dies a mysterious death.

Christian Boone

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution

1/5/13

Shaken

A mother’s conviction. A son’s doubts.

Victor Zapana, Jr.

The New Yorker

11/18/12

Jacob Weidner (2) holds hands with his parents Dave & Michelle Weidner while they walk near their home. Pekin Daily Times

Painful memories persist for parents

A lot has happened since the Pekin Daily Times ran a story last year about Michelle and Dave Weidner, the Peoria couple who faced criminal and Department of Children and Family Services investigations due to an erroneous diagnosis from a doctor at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria that their son, Jacob, had a skull fracture.

Valari Hyatt

Pekin Times

10/18/12

Taos jurors dismiss ‘shaken baby’ case amid medical skepticism

Taos jurors dismiss ‘shaken baby’ case amid medical skepticism

A Questa man is free after grand jurors chose not to indict him late last month on charges of child abuse amid doctors’ accusations that he shook his infant son in May.

Chandra Johnson

The Taos News

9/10/12

Newspaper Article

UIS Innocence group to publicize false abuse charges

Laura Nimke spent her career teaching children how to speak up about child abuse and how to tell the difference between good and bad touches. As a child abuse prevention specialist, she took pride and preventing children from being abused.

Chris Stroisch

The State Journal-Register

6/24/12

Couple cleared of killing son call for inquiry

Couple cleared of killing son call for inquiry

A young couple effectively twice cleared by courts of shaking their baby boy to death last night called for an inquiry into their treatment after they won a landmark legal battle to prove their innocence.

Andrew Hough

The Telegraph

4/20/12

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NEWS ARTICLE ARCHIVE

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