In Ohio, Brian and Angela Stammen grieve the loss of their son Trevor James Stammen. Trevor died from blunt-force trauma to the head. Allegedly, he sustained this life threatening injury while at the home of a baby sitter. The baby sitter has not been identified. The investigators have questioned the baby sitter and family members. Investigators are conducting a homicide investigation in this child’s death.
Prevention of death and injury related to child abuse: Monitor strangers around your child. Look for signs that the caregiver or parent delayed in seeking help for an injury or potential injury. Have a high-index of suspicion for an individual providing an inconsistent history about the mechanism of injury. Suspect intentional injury when the injury is inconsistent with the child’s developmental capabilities. Suspect abuse when fractures are present at varying degrees of healing stages. Look for bruises to the back of the body. Be suspicious if there are bald spots or broken hair on the scalp. Visualize the pattern of an injury to see if it resembles a belt, belt buckle, cigarette burn or scald injury from submersion in hot water. Suspect sexual abuse with trauma or infection of the perineal area.
