Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 27, 1995                   TAG: 9503270094
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                                LENGTH: Short

BABY SITTER CHARGED IN CHILD'S DEATH

Chesapeake police said the 11-month-old girl died Friday from injuries sustained after being severely shaken. The infant's identity was not released.

The sitter was identified as Penny Peterson, 33. She was released from the city jail late Saturday after posting bond, said Deputy J. Darden.

Police spokesman Richard Black said rescue crews were called to Peterson's home about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday for a baby who was having trouble breathing.

The infant was taken to Chesapeake General Hospital and later transferred to intensive care at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk.

On Friday morning, the child was taken off life support. She died at 10:35 a.m.

Black said an autopsy confirmed that the baby had been forcefully shaken. Doctors say shaken baby syndrome, which is akin to severe whiplash, cannot be caused accidentally.

Keywords:
FATALITY