Henderson County County, North Carolina in the small area of Mountain Home, on July 10, 2013 a 5 month old baby Clay was shaken literally to death while his mother was at work during the day. The suspect: The mothers boyfriend. A 911 call made by the boyfriend led rescue workers to find little Clay in complete cardiac arrest, cyanotic, and severe retinal hemorrhaging. Clay had no pulse, and rescue workers had to work fast. They began resuscitating him, and took him to a nearby hospital where he remained in critical condition on advanced life support.
After a month in the intensive care unit on life support and several tests/procedures later, doctors arrived at the place where there was nothing further they could do for Clay. They suggested taking him off life support, with no expectations. Clay was in a persistent coma according to doctors. The prognosis wasn't good, and doctors couldn't do anything more.
Clay surprised them all. He began breathing on his own. Weeks later he was discharged from the hospital after a G-I feeding tube was inserted. He remained in a coma. Today he is still in a coma, his mother and other family members remain by his side. His routine consists of a team of specialists including a pediatric chiropractor, pediatric neurologist, pediatric orthopedic doctor, pediatrician, among others. His outcome isn't known at this time, and his condition is hard to understand. He remains diagnosed as being in a persistent coma, but has had some brief small moments of apparent but still limited consciousness. He cries in response to the pain that is a part of his daily life as a result of the trauma, which specialists are working to improve. Clay doesn't smile or play, and so much remains unknown. We all remain hopeful and positive in his journey. His loving mother remains strong and in constant prayer for her little boy. We know this is a very hard thing for her. We hope that getting his story out there, and the stories/journeys of others will educate people on what the journey is like for the victims that do happen to survive Shaken Baby Syndrome. People need to know that these lives are real, these babies' journeys are real & they didn't ask for this.
Baby Clay's story made the local news, and he and his family
made some new friends through this experience. His story has inspired
the hope for more prevention and awareness in his community and
statewide. He is the reason we started Shaken Baby Syndrome of North
Carolina. We know that if he could speak, he would say " tell
others how horrible this is, don't shake us". We owe it to him.
The man accused of doing this terrible thing to him remains behind bars awaiting trial. Justin Andrew Pate 23, is charged with Felony Child Abuse INF Serious Injury. We hope to see justice for Clay in the near future.
To read more about Baby Clay's story check out:
Asheville Citizens Times Article
BLUE RIDGE NOW, Times News Hendersonville Article
Hendersonville Lightening Article
To join the prayer ring and stay connected for updates on Clay's journey visit his Facebook page: CLICK HERE
*11/28/2013* Baby Clay has been readmitted to the hospital for issues related to his brain injury. He is having a difficult time with his urinary system and regulating his body temperature despite measures to keep him warm.
His mother has missed so much work due to appointments and Baby
Clay's hospital stays. Her vehicle is having some problems, and though
she never asks for financial help, I am asking for the community to
help in anyway they can, to continue to support her and Baby Clay,
especially with Christmas coming. God Bless!
(This Fundrazr was created for the N.C. SBS Victim Baby Clay and His Mother by Shaken Baby Syndrome of N.C.)
To learn more about Shaken Baby Syndrome in North Carolina please visit our website: http://www.sbsnc.us Or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ShakenBabySyndromeofNorthCarolina?ref=hl
We also have a campaign going as well to help fund prevention and awareness in N.C. https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/4ch3c/ab/926jM0
Thank you!