Courts / Cavan / Report

Child minder pleads not guilty to charge of causing serious harm to 10-month-old baby

Summary

Sandra Higgins, a registered child-minder from Cavan town, is currently on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where she has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old infant at her home on March 28, 2012. The prosecution alleges the child suffered active seizures, extensive bruising, and retinal haemorrhaging consistent with violent shaking. During the first day of the six-day trial before Judge Patricia Ryan, the infant's mother testified that the child appeared healthy when dropped off that morning but was found unconscious with a swelling between the eyebrows when collected. The mother also raised concerns regarding the child-minding diary, alleging that entries describing bumps and bruises were added or changed after the incident. The defence is expected to call an expert witness to argue that the injuries were accidental and that there is no evidence supporting a diagnosis of violent shaking. A court order prohibits the publication of any details that would identify the child. The trial is ongoing, with the jury tasked with evaluating the conflicting medical and testimonial evidence presented by both sides.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Child minder pleads not guilty to charge of causing serious harm to 10-month-old baby. 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 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 22 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 5 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 26 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 28 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2011 Other
• February 2012 Other
• March 23 Other
• 2015-06-16 Publication

Why: She also agreed that it was Ms Higgins who suggested on March 5 the child be brought to the doctor or get a check-up because she had a temperature. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report