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Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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COLUMBUS -- A new law is being developed that will be named after a baby injured here in Columbus. Claire’s law which is expected to save lives is now headed to the governor's desk, NBC 4 David Wayne reported.
There is no tracking system in Ohio on how many infants are injured or killed from shaken baby syndrome. Claire’s law will change that, and it will provide much needed information for new parents.
Nearly eight years ago medics rushed to help 11-month-old Claire Fishpaw to Children's Hospital, a victim of shaken baby syndrome by a babysitter.
The following year her parents talked with NBC 4. “Her eyes went rolling to the back of her head and her head went crashing down to the floor,” Claire’s mother, Michelle Fishpaw said.
The babysitter Mindy Francisco was convicted on three charges. Claire who is now eight-years-old has permanent brain damage. Her parents championed Claire’s law that just won unanimous approval in the house and senate.
“This form of abuse as violent as it is, it has no socio-economic boundaries. If it can happen to us it can happen to anyone,” Claire’s father, Jon Fishpaw said.
The law mandates shaken baby syndrome education. Doctors and pediatricians are required to talk to expected mothers before the child is even born, and then doctors and nurses at the hospital must talk to the mother after the birth but before she is discharged. Commercial and home day care centers must also educate workers.
Experts said a similar education program in New York reduced shaken baby syndrome cases by 46% in 13 counties over 6 years.
“Now the prevention message gets distributed throughout the state of Ohio and we have a better chance babies are not shaken,” prevention specialist, Lisa Carroll said.
National statistics show that men are responsible for more than 60% of shaken baby syndrome cases. However, they are not singled out in the new law because it would be unenforceable to require fathers to be at the hospital or follow-up visits to the doctor. However, health care providers will be highly encouraged to include them in the education.
There is no tracking system in Ohio on how many infants are injured or killed from shaken baby syndrome. Claire’s law will change that, and it will provide much needed information for new parents.
Nearly eight years ago medics rushed to help 11-month-old Claire Fishpaw to Children's Hospital, a victim of shaken baby syndrome by a babysitter.
The following year her parents talked with NBC 4. “Her eyes went rolling to the back of her head and her head went crashing down to the floor,” Claire’s mother, Michelle Fishpaw said.
The babysitter Mindy Francisco was convicted on three charges. Claire who is now eight-years-old has permanent brain damage. Her parents championed Claire’s law that just won unanimous approval in the house and senate.
“This form of abuse as violent as it is, it has no socio-economic boundaries. If it can happen to us it can happen to anyone,” Claire’s father, Jon Fishpaw said.
The law mandates shaken baby syndrome education. Doctors and pediatricians are required to talk to expected mothers before the child is even born, and then doctors and nurses at the hospital must talk to the mother after the birth but before she is discharged. Commercial and home day care centers must also educate workers.
Experts said a similar education program in New York reduced shaken baby syndrome cases by 46% in 13 counties over 6 years.
“Now the prevention message gets distributed throughout the state of Ohio and we have a better chance babies are not shaken,” prevention specialist, Lisa Carroll said.
National statistics show that men are responsible for more than 60% of shaken baby syndrome cases. However, they are not singled out in the new law because it would be unenforceable to require fathers to be at the hospital or follow-up visits to the doctor. However, health care providers will be highly encouraged to include them in the education.