Marie (Baby aged 5 months, France)

Introduction

A father and mother, after welcoming their first child who is now 3 years old, are ready to welcome a second baby into their family. Both parents have stable jobs. The family is well-supported by grandparents and an aunt who are very involved in the children’s lives.

Pregnancy and Birth

The pregnancy and birth of this much-desired baby went smoothly. The newborn weighs 4 kilograms, with a head circumference above average.

The baby is often cared for by a nanny and occasionally by the grandparents and aunt.

The Day Everything Changed

On May 9, 2019, the mother returns home with her 3-year-old son and her 5-month-old baby in her arms. She puts her keys on the table when the baby, quite lively, makes a backward movement and falls to the ground. He cries immediately but does not lose consciousness.

The mother calls the father and firefighters who quickly arrive at their home. The baby is taken to the hospital for treatment.

When the Diagnosis Was Made

The baby undergoes numerous tests: scans, MRI, X-rays, blood analyses, electroencephalogram, and eye fundus examination. After these tests, the mother is summoned to the doctor’s office where she is informed that a report must be filed due to suspicions of abuse, particularly subdural hematoma.

Following this announcement, the doctor does not return to the baby’s room for a month. The parents endure suspicious looks from healthcare workers who limit themselves to measuring the head circumference without providing other care.

In the Judicial System

Socially, dad and mom receive an order for temporary placement of their baby. The baby remains in the hospital while the parents are summoned by the children’s judge who decides a few days later to stop the placement. Family education begins in an open environment, and the baby returns home.

The follow-up continues with regular meetings with educators, psychologists, and social workers. It is the educators themselves who request the end of educational supervision from the judge, convinced that the parents love their children.

On the criminal side, the parents, accompanied by their 3-year-old son, are placed under arrest and their child is taken to the hospital for medical examinations. The maternal aunt picks up the boy from a shelter that evening, completely traumatized.

The parents undergo a second arrest and appear before an investigating judge who charges them with judicial control.

During this process, they endure humiliations: intrusive interrogations about their intimacy, nights in dirty cells with toilets without doors, handcuffed transfers to court, and searches of their home in front of neighbors.

The investigating judge requests a medical expert opinion from sworn doctors. To defend themselves, the family unites to distribute the complete medical file to several experts (pediatricians, radiologists, neurologists) who contradict the opinions mandated by the judge.

The fight lasts more than 6 years: regular medical follow-up of the baby, psychological support for the family, and the evolution of the baby in daycare then school to justify his good development. The prosecutor requests that the mother appear before the criminal court but the investigating judge finally decides on a non-prosecution.

Living with Suspicion

These 6 years, 2 months, and 2 days are a real trauma for the entire family. The baby has grown well and is doing fine today, but he is excessively monitored out of fear that something might happen to him.

His older brother is marked by this period: he witnessed his little brother’s fall, the absence of his parents during arrests and medical examinations, and was taken away by a police officer and left in a shelter without personal items (stuffed animal, pacifier) until his aunt arrived.

The mother remains traumatized by this unjust accusation, she who deeply desired her children. She is marked by the lack of discernment from investigators and did not feel heard.

This ordeal has had consequences on the health of some close relatives, severe financial consequences, and family life. Indeed, the father left the home, leaving his wife and children alone.

In the end, the family has lost trust in their country’s healthcare, police, and justice systems.

For consistency across testimonies, this text may have been slightly edited or translated by artificial intelligence. If you notice any error or inconsistency, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Adele, France

My husband and I are merchants, and we’re thirty years old. We have three children: a daughter and twin boys. We live above our …

Agathe, France

It has been 8 years since I have been taking care of babies coming from nurseries or hospitals. I am a mother of three children aged 14, …

Alexandre, France

The delivery went without any issues. My baby was crying a lot, was he already suffering? We regularly consulted the pediatrician and …

Alexia, France

I gave birth at 30 weeks and two days. My baby was a large preterm, and I had to undergo a cesarean section with forceps. We went for a …

Amédée, France

Separated for a year at the time of the events, I was the mother of two boys aged 20 and 18 (one in the army, the other in school). I had …

Anaïs, France

My pregnancy was marked by several complications: I had two cases of thrombophlebitis as well as a pulmonary embolism. Additionally, Issam …

Anonyme, France

We have been a couple for 11 years and married for 7 years. We are 35 years old and have three children aged 5, 3, and 1 year. We live in a …

Anonyme, France

I have worked in the field of early childhood for 10 years, 5 years in a facility and 5 years as a childcare provider. I never had any …

Another Family, UK

I experienced preterm labor at 26 weeks and received steroid injections. The baby was head down and engaged from 20 weeks and did not move …

Audrey Edmunds, USA

I was pregnant with my third child and had been caring for children for over two decades. Just more than an hour after the baby came into …

Barbora, Canada

Newcomers to Canada, we had been here only two years at the time of the false accusation. We were expecting twins and already had an older …

Bénédicte, France

Bénédicte, childcare provider since 2014. Married and mother of two children. Difficulties observed at the end of pregnancy. The child came …

Camille, France

Story coming soon.

Candie, France

I am 46 years old and was a nanny from 2003 to 2018. I had a passion for caring for children with kindness, love, laughter, and sharing. …

Catherine, France

I was a childcare assistant for 40 years, 20 in a family daycare center and 20 as an independent provider, with no incidents whatsoever. I …

Chloé, France

My spouse and I were 29 and 27 years old at the time of the accident. We are co-managers of an equestrian tourism facility, and my husband …

Courtney, USA

At the time of accusation, I was a stay-at-home mom, and my husband is an HVAC tech. We had six children in total; our boy was one of the …

Cyrille, France

Parents in their thirties, father is a researcher and mother is a speech therapist. The birth was long. The baby’s head circumference …

Dwayne Lindsey, Australia

Victoria, Australia Evidence presented in my case by the mother and other witnesses states that I was a loving and present parent. However, …

Elisabeth, France

I was a childcare assistant right after finishing my studies. The child had an episode while being fed the bottle. I called my neighbor to …

Elise, USA

When my son was diagnosed, I was an attorney in private practice in New York. As a single parent, I lived on Manhattan’s Upper West …

Elyne, France

I was 26 years old, and my partner, who was 30, and I had a little girl of 21 months when our baby boy was born during the summer holidays. …

Emeline, France

My husband is now 40 years old and I am 36 (36 and 32 at the time of events). He is an engineer specializing in water treatment, and I am …

Fajr, USA

I am 21, and my fiancé is 23. My fiancé was a stay-at-home dad while I worked full-time at Honda. There were no issues during the birth. …

Fany, France

I am 39 years old, married with two children. I work in the social healthcare sector. The child fell from a baby swing placed on the couch …

Flora, France

We are a family of four. I have two boys: the eldest is three and a half years old, and the youngest is ten months. I am a caregiver for …

Ilona, France

Parents’ age at the time of events: 24 and 25 years old. Mother with a disability (arthrogryposis), cashier, adopted from Cambodia by …

Jennifer, France

I have been a childcare assistant since July 2008. I hold a CAP in early childhood education, a BEP in health and social careers, as well …

Josh, USA

Josh Burns, 49, Airline Pilot. Now living in Texas. My entire story can be found at www.tornfamily.com. My child experienced birth trauma …

Julia, France

I worked with children in various sectors, but after my separation and as a single mother of two children, I became a childcare provider. I …

Julie, Australia

My husband and I are both 44 years old. He works as a glazier, while I stay at home with our children. We live in Sydney, Australia, and …

Julie, Australia

We are both 44 years old, and our son has a twin sister and a three-year-old sister. We reside in Australia. During pregnancy, my twin boy …

Karen, France

I became pregnant in quite a miraculous way, as I had been suffering from endometriosis for several years. Seven years earlier, I was …

Karine, France

Childcare provider for over 13 years, taking care of children, especially infants, is a passion. Although caring for them at any age is …

Kat, UK

I am a mother of three and previously worked as a pediatric nurse before facing accusations of shaken baby syndrome. My family had no …

Kimberly, USA

My name is Kimberly, and I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have three beautiful children: two on earth and one in heaven (Jr). …

Laeti, France

I have been a childcare provider since 2016 and I have two children. It was just a routine check-up… The doctor noticed that the …

Laetitia, France

My husband and I have been together for 13 years. The desire to have children came quickly in our relationship. After finishing our …

Laura, UK

I had a caesarean birth at 36+6 weeks with twins. The only issue was her head circumference, but this was never thoroughly investigated. …

Laurine, France

Parents in their late 20s with two children: identical twin girls. The twin pregnancy went smoothly despite the associated risks. Delivery …

Leigh Crutch, USA

Greetings! My name is Leigh Crutch, and I have worked as an Investigations Consultant specializing in real estate foreclosures since 2003. …

Lily, France

I have been a childcare provider for 5 years, having cared for twenty children in my large house. The house is equipped with a playroom, a …

Lisambs, France

Mom is a nurse, dad is an aide, in our thirties, owner of our house. First child, very much wanted. I was hospitalized during pregnancy for …

Lolo, France

I am 28 years old and my partner is 38. We have been together for 12 years. I work as a technical assistant, and he is an electrician. We …

Louise, UK

I am a mother who worked as a sewing machinist. Until my children were 14 years old, I raised them all. Then, the state wrongfully took …

Lyana, France

Mr., 36 years old, works in industry. Mrs., 34 years old, is active in the social sector. We have a first daughter who is four and a half …

Maddie, USA

I enjoy volunteering and taking psychology and behavioral health classes. I am also preparing to start work as a behavioral health …

Maë, France

R, M and E, a family living in the Hautes-Alpes. R is 36 years old and an electrician; M is also 36 and a teacher. E is their first child. …

Maeva, France

I had a perfect pregnancy despite bleeding during the first three months. The delivery, however, was premature at seven months of …

Manon, France

Certified babysitter and mother of two children, I have always led a happy and serene life filled with joy and unconditional love. Loving …

Maria, France

Nanny for 35 years, never any problem with a child. But when the baby showed signs of discomfort at my home, I was accused without any …

Marie, France

A father and mother, after welcoming their first child who is now 3 years old, are ready to welcome a second baby into their family. Both …

Marissa, USA

My son was 25 at the time. He worked as a roofer, and he has an older sister and a younger brother. We all reside in Des Moines, Iowa. The …

Mark, UK

My name is Mark Lackenby. I am 45 years old and work on the railway. My family has a history in mining, as we are from the UK. I have five …

Mary, UK

29 - dog trainer - Manchester, UK I am a single mother who had a wonderful birth experience and a great start with my son. He did suffer …

Melanie, Canada

I am a thirty-year-old mother who recently discovered that I have HEDS, which was misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia for years. Currently, I am a …

Melissa, USA

Mom and Dad are now married for 26 years and have five children aged 20, 18, 14, and twin 10-year-olds. This incident occurred when the …

Mia, Finland

At the time of the accusations, I was 35 years old, and my partner was 38. We both are a year older now. I work in Human Resources, while …

Mlmd, France

I had been a childcare assistant for one and a half years at the time of the events. I am also a mother to two daughters aged 7 and 11. …

Nancy, Canada

We are a couple of loving parents, both 34 years old—one is a teacher, and the other a PhD student. Each of us has three siblings. We have …

Nathalie, France

I was 35 years old and my husband was 45 at the time of these events. I am a restorer, and my spouse works as a salesperson in …

Nini, France

Trustworthy guardian who took in her niece after she was placed by Child Protective Services (CPS) because the parents were abusive. Stable …

Nini, France

Nursery assistant, nursing aide, childcare provider, and home support worker. I don’t know how the delivery went. The child was cared …

Orionea, France

I quit my job as an administrative/financial assistant to become a childcare provider in order to take care of my stepchildren and my first …

Paula, USA

I am the paternal grandmother, and I am filling out this form on behalf of my family. My daughter-in-law was 32 years old and worked as a …

Perle, France

Childcare Assistant for 11 years The child had to be placed in intensive care at birth. His head circumference was high from the start, …

Peter, Sweden

by Peter Aspelin, Emeritus Professor of Radiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 14 January 2019. Many claim that our time is …

Reginald, USA

I am Reggie Ware; my wife, Melonie, was the accused. This occurred in 2004 when she ran an in-home daycare. I work as a musician and real …

Roxanne, USA

Stay-at-home mom. I don’t remember much about this period. The children were frequently seen by medical professionals who came to our home. …

Sally, Canada

I am 26 years old, a support worker. My partner is also 26 and works in construction. Our baby was born three weeks early. Every time I …

Sarah, France

I am married and have a child. The child had strange breathing after vomiting. I informed the mother who arrived quickly. She told me that …

Skye, UK

My labor lasted two days, and it was a natural birth. She was significantly larger than my other children. We went home, and she seemed …

Stephanie, USA

I am married with two children and have been licensed to operate a home daycare for over fifteen years. N/A It was her first and only day …

Sylvie, France

My son, the father of twins, works in public works. He is a dad to twins born in March 2021 and lives in a house he renovated to …

Valeria, France

Our family was torn apart by these accusations. We had been married for eight years when Victoria Siara was born. As her mother, I am …

Vanessa, France

New mother, my son was the same age as the little one I was taking care of. The parents were in their thirties, like me. The mother had …

Vanessa, France

I obtained my Early Childhood Care and Education certificate in 2012. I then worked in a daycare center, recreational center, as a nanny at …

Virginie, France

We are both 40 years old (I was 39 at the time of the events). I am a primary school teacher and Lionel works as a sorting inspector. We …

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