Courts / Cavan / Report
Childminder told gardai that baby was not assaulted in her care, trial hears
Summary
A childminder has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old baby at her home in Cavan town on 28 March 2012. Sandra Higgins, aged 34, of The Beeches, Drumgola Wood, Cavan told gardai during interview in April 2012 that the infant was not assaulted in her care and that she treated the child as one of her own. She described witnessing a seizure that day after the baby awoke from an afternoon sleep. Medical evidence presented to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court included consultant paediatrician Dr Alan Finan's testimony regarding extensive bruising across the child's body and haemorrhaging at the back of both eyes. The registered childminder acknowledged failing to keep some records properly but denied deliberately creating documentation to cover up any incident. The trial before Judge Patricia Ryan is scheduled for six days with a jury of eight men and four women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Childminder told gardai that baby was not assaulted in her care, trial hears. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the baby at her home on March 28, 2012. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 28, 2012 Incident
- April 13, 2012 Incident
- June 2011 Incident
- February 27 Incident
- March 28 Other
- 2015-06-17 Publication
Why: Children's hospital because it had facilities to photograph the retinal bleeds. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the baby at her home on March 28, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Cavan General Hospital
- Temple St. Children's hospital
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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