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Top Stories Man shakes baby, runs from police
| Man shakes baby, runs from police |
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| Written by Beth Pleming |
| Sunday, 11 October 2009 17:56 |
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Five-month-old suffers permanent brain damage A man accused of shaking a 5-week-old baby, causing severe brain injuries that left the infant disabled for life is on the run, police suspect. Jeremiah Seckman, 24, of the Jonathan Creek area was indicted by a Haywood County Grand Jury Sept. 29 on a charge of felony child abuse. Authorities have been unable to locate Seckman, however, to serve the indictment. Det. James Marsh, Haywood County Sheriff’s Office said he’s made numerous attempts to locate Seckman, to no avail. “The information we have (as of Friday) is that he has fled the state, possibly to Florida,” said Marsh. “We also have information that he could be in Pisgah National Forest.” Seckman is accused of abusing an infant child almost two months ago, causing severe permanent brain injuries. “The child is permanently disabled,” said Marsh. “She will likely be blind for life, in addition to other severe disabilities.” On the morning of Aug. 17, the infant victim’s mother awoke to discover her child having seizures and took her to be seen by a doctor, said Marsh. The infant was immediately transported to Mission Hospitals where doctors confirmed she suffered severe brain trauma. Medical experts trained in identifying and treating child abuse examined the baby and ruled out the possibility of accidental injuries, determining the trauma to her brain was likely caused by shaking with severe force, Marsh said. Haywood County social services and sheriff’s detectives were notified, an investigation ensued. That investigation revealed the infant’s injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome, that Seckman was caring for the child when the injuries were inflicted, said Marsh calling the matter a “severe shaken baby case.” The child remains in protective custody where she has been since the incident occurred. Meanwhile, all efforts are being made to locate Seckman and bring him back to Haywood County. “We will pursue him and extradite him from anywhere in the U.S. on these type of charges,” said Marsh. “And we always find them. Very rarely does a person abscond. They get caught eventually.” Seckman’s identity has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database and local authorities throughout the region will be notified to be on the look out for his whereabouts. Seckman has prior convictions in other states, which include minor offenses for assault. He’s lived in the Jonathan Creek area for about four or five months, said Marsh. He’s been indicted on a class C felony for child abuse — a charge that if convicted will carry an active sentence. Anyone with information regarding Seckman’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office at 452-6666. |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 18:57 |
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