Nanny Arrested After 6-week-old Suffers Injuries Related To Shaken Baby Syndrome

Nanny arrested after 6-week-old suffers injuries related to shaken baby syndrome

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A woman was arrested on Friday after a child that was in her care was found to have injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, according to arrest documents.

Lindsay Johnson, 32, was arrested on Nov. 29 on one count of aggravated child abuse, intentionally or knowingly, which is a second-degree felony.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Summit County, Johnson was the only person to be in contact with the 6-week-old child between the hours of 10 p.m. on Nov. 26 and 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 27.

“Both parents stated that at approximately 0700-0730 on the morning of 11/27/2024, after taking custody of the child from Ms. Johnson, the child was not responding appropriately and was found to be experiencing seizures, prompting them to take the child to a doctor,” the affidavit reads.

After taking the child to the doctor, the parents learned the child had brain injuries, which physicians reportedly ruled as “non-accidental trauma,” the affidavit said.

Two separate X-rays of the child’s chest showed a fractured rib, which physicians said was “inertia generated” and common in patients suffering from shaken baby syndrome, according to arrest documents.

The child’s parents told officers that the child was healthy before Johnson watched the baby. Johnson confirmed to officers that she was the only person to have contact with the child overnight.

Johnson was arrested on the aforementioned charge. She moved to Utah at the beginning of November, according to the affidavit, and the arresting officer said she may try to flee to another state if released on bail.

What is shaken baby syndrome?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, shaken baby syndrome happens when babies or young children are “shaken violently.”

“When this happens, the brain can bounce back and forth against the skull which can cause bleeding, bruising, and swelling,” NINDS explains.

Shaken baby syndrome can cause long-term damage or death, in some cases, NINDS said. Some symptoms may become more evident as the child gets older, but more immediate symptoms may include the following: