Shaken baby syndrome and hospice: The case of Baby Bobby

• Published in: Smith College studies in social work 2003-06, Vol.73 (3), p.445-461
• Main Author: Shapiro, Beth M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child Abuse; Family Conflict; Hospices; Infants; Injuries; Palliative Care; Parent Child Relations; Parent-Child relationships; Shaken baby syndrome
• ISSN: 0037-7317; 1553-0426
• DOI: 10.1080/00377310309517696

The case of Baby Bobby and Mike is a very unusual one for hospice care. Bobby was admitted at the age of 10 months for Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). His father, Mike, was the suspected perpetrator. Bobby suffered neurological and developmental damage and was unable to reach the normal milestones achieved by his twin brother. Additionally, his mother, Debbie, withdrew, admitting that she was not very maternal and that she was the breadwinner. There had been a history of domestic violence between Bobby's parents. After Bobby's injury, his parents separated and his mother moved in with her parents and Bobby's twin, Adam. Mike focused solely on Bobby and lived with him at Lighthouse hospice providing care. Mike's mother, who lived out of state, took a leave of absence from her work and came to stay in the room at Lighthouse with Bobby and Mike. Family tensions escalated between the two sides of the family. Mike made it difficult for the hospice staff to provide care for Bobby. He maintained, according to the hospice staff's perception, unrealistic expectations for Bobby's progress and recovery. The criminal investigation continued into March 2002, at which time Mike was cleared of the abuse charges. At this point, Mike removed Bobby from hospice care and moved him home with him and Bobby's grandmother. Mike and Debbie filed for divorce. This paper will describe some of the clinical dilemmas and ethical issues raised by this complex case.