Women plead 'never shake a baby'

2/14/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Karra Paige could have been someone special. She could have traveled the world--maybe even changed it.  But, the world will never know because she died a very early death. 
 
Only 11 months old, Karra suffered fatal trauma from being shaken.  She is but one of the many children who have suffered from Shaken Baby Syndrome, or abusive head trauma.
 
Two women will share their stories and speak out about Shaken Baby Syndrome at William Woods University Feb. 23. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 4 p.m. in the library auditorium.   
 
Shaken Baby Syndrome refers to a combination of signs and symptoms that result from violent shaking of infants and often leads to death.
 
Rene Howitt, executive director of COPE24, and Maryann Williamson, Karra's grandmother, have seen the horrors of shaken infants and have made it their goal to put an end to it. 
 
Howitt, who has spoken at more than 150 schools in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, is dedicated to reducing child abuse and neglect by reaching out to young adults who may not be emotionally or mentally prepared for pregnancy. 
 
Although she understands that reducing teen pregnancy through education will not put an end to child abuse and neglect altogether, she feels that it is a good place to start.
 
Williamson will tell about the loss of her granddaughter, Karra, and her struggle to find justice in the legal system.
 
Karra was shaken violently by the boyfriend of Williamson's daughter. She suffered irreversible brain damage and detached retinas. The man responsible served four years of a seven-year prison sentence.  For Williamson and her family, justice was hardly served.
 
"It was the worst experience of my life," said Williamson.  "It's just something you're not prepared for and something you never think will happen."
 
She has vowed to find that justice--not just for Karra, but for all infants whose lives have been taken due to being shaken.
 
Since Karra's death 12 years ago, Williamson has been working with Sen. Kurt Schaefer and Rep. Jeanie Riddle to increase the punishment for those who commit crimes leading to this syndrome.  Riddle, who represents Callaway County in the state legislature, plans to join Howitt and Williamson at the event at William Woods.
 
Williamson hopes to inspire students to help make the change.
 
"You can make a difference for these little babies--there were 14 in Missouri in 2010," she said. "The deaths that they have are horrible and this can change your life profoundly. Someone has to speak for them because they can't speak for themselves. We have to get this law passed."
 
One of the last memories Williamson has of her beloved granddaughter is a beautiful one.  She was feeding yogurt to Karra and her sister, and Karra wanted to make sure her sister was getting her fair share. Williamson imagined that Karra would grow to be a kind and giving person. She never imagined that a week later, Karra would be gone.
 
To learn more about Shaken Baby Syndrome, visit the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome's website at http://dontshake.org/.

CUTLINE:
Karra on Halloween in 1999, five days before her death.