Idaho Daycare Worker Accused of Shaking 5-Month-Old Baby for '35 Seconds,' Leaving Infant With Brain Damage
A five-month-old baby has suffered brain injuries and multiple fractures after allegedly being violently handled by a daycare worker entrusted with his care. The disturbing incident, which prosecutors say was captured on surveillance footage, has raised fresh concerns about the dangers of abusive head trauma in infants.
Maria 'Mia' Ackerman, 18, is facing four felony counts of injury to a child following an investigation into alleged abuse involving four babies at New Horizon Academy in Boise, Idaho.
According to prosecutors, the most serious incident involved a five-month-old boy who allegedly endured 35 seconds of continuous shaking, with the entire episode lasting more than a minute.
Prosecutors Detail Alleged Abuse of Four Infants
The investigation began after Boise Police received a referral from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on 27 October concerning an infant who had reportedly suffered injuries at the childcare facility the previous day.
During Ackerman's arraignment, Ada County prosecutor Joshua Haws outlined several alleged incidents involving babies under her supervision.
These included violently shaking an infant, restricting another baby's breathing by covering their nose or mouth, repeatedly striking a child with open and closed fists, and grabbing babies by their faces, heads or necks.
Haws also alleged that Ackerman slammed an infant's head against a changing table, threw a baby into a cushioned area and swung a child around by the neck.
In another incident, a baby allegedly fell from a changing table after being left unsecured. Rather than checking the child for injuries, Ackerman reportedly placed the infant back in a sitting position and walked away.
Describing the most serious allegations, Haws told the court: 'The worst of it being 35 seconds of straight shaking of that child, though the whole shaking incident lasted over a minute.'
He added that the baby was allegedly picked up by the neck, with Ackerman restricting his breathing before squeezing and swinging him around.
'This horrific abuse was all caught on film,' the prosecutor said.
Baby Suffers Brain Injuries and Multiple Fractures
Prosecutors said the five-month-old sustained a fractured rib, a broken tibia and brain injuries associated with oxygen deprivation.
Although the infant is expected to survive, Haws expressed the seriousness of the injuries during the court proceedings.
'The defendant is lucky that I don't believe this is going to turn into a murder,' he reportedly told the court.
Police also confirmed that three additional infants were identified during the investigation. Their parents were notified, and medical attention was being sought for the children.
Why Violent Shaking Can Cause Permanent Brain Damage
The case highlights the potentially devastating consequences of abusive head trauma, a severe form of injury caused by violent shaking or blunt force to an infant's head.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies younger than one year are at the greatest risk because their developing brains and relatively weak neck muscles make them particularly vulnerable to injury.
Violent shaking can cause bleeding around the brain, swelling and damage to blood vessels. Survivors may experience long-term complications, including developmental delays, hearing loss, vision problems and physical disabilities.
The CDC identifies abusive head trauma as a leading cause of child abuse deaths among children younger than five. A CDC analysis of US deaths between 1999 and 2014 found that it accounted for approximately one-third of fatalities associated with child maltreatment.
Daycare Worker Faces Four Felony Charges
New Horizon Academy said its staff observed Ackerman engaging in what it described as an 'aggressive interaction with a child'.
The facility reportedly removed her from the premises immediately, terminated her employment and notified police, state licensing authorities and affected families.
'Every child deserves gentle, attentive care,' the organisation said in a statement. 'This behavior is unacceptable.'
Ackerman, who had reportedly worked at the centre since March or April, was arrested on 29 October and booked into Ada County Jail.
Her bond was set at $1 million (£743,000). She remains accused of the offences, and the allegations have yet to be established in court.