Richmond RCMP: ‘Shaken baby syndrome’ probed in girl’s case
RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Pound - Photo Vancouverite.
RICHMOND, B.C. - (Update) Police are probing a “shaken baby syndrome” case involving a one-year-old girl who became unconscious while taking a nap at the Mitchell Elementary School StrongStart Centre.
The infant took a nap and would not wake up when StrongStart staff and a caregiver tried awaken the child.
The StrongStart Centre is closed today and police said they will interview a number of staff along with the baby’s family to see what happened to the child.
Richmond RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Jennifer Pound said police don’t think anything happened to the child at the centre, but a process of elimination necessarily includes interviewing staff.
“The baby, approximately 1 year of age, attends the Strong Start early learning centre located at the Mitchell Elementary School on Cambie Road,” said Pound.
“The baby was in the care of another caregiver who brought her to the Strong Start centre yesterday,” she said.
“The baby appeared fine and just after lunch lay down for a nap. When the staff and caregiver attempted to wake her, after a short time, she would not wake up,” she said.
The child was transported to hospital by ambulance.
“While at the hospital she was assessed and appeared to have all the symptoms consistent with that of the “shaken baby syndrome” – this diagnosis, however, has not yet been confirmed. The baby is currently in critical, but stable condition,” said Pound.
“Richmond RCMP would like to reassure the public that there is no immediate danger to other children attending Mitchell Elementary School or the StrongStart early learning centre at this time. Strong Start is closed for today,” Pound stated.
“At this point there is no suspect in custody, however, the investigation is in the very early stages and many people have and will be interviewed, including the staff of the centre, the baby’s caregiver as well as the parents,” Pound said.
The child appeared to be sleepy and was allowed to have a nap. It is possible the baby was slipping into unconsciousness at the time and staff thought the child was in need of a nap, said Pound in an interview.
Pound said the girl was unconscious at the time she was taken from the centre and remained unconscious when admitted to hospital.
The StrongStart centres are set up to assist immigrant families and children. There are four StrongStart centres in Richmond.
Children attend along with either parents or caregivers. Over 150 families are registered with the StrongStart centre at Mitchell Elementary.
If anyone has any information regarding this matter they are asked to contact Cpl. Sueng Lee of the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212.
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