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Court hears testimony about father who drank bottle of vodka before baby son’s death

The court heard testimony today from the prosecution that a father accused of killing his baby had drank a bottle of vodka prior to the event.

The Winchester Crown Court was told by the prosecution that Craig Tattum, accused of killing his baby son Ethan, “quite clearly got drunk” the night that paramedics were called to his house, and that “somehow he injured baby Ethan.”

The prosecution’s Jane Miller QC told the court that on the night of July 4, 2008, Tattum’s wife Louise placed an emergency call to paramedics, stating their son had stopped breathing. During the phone conversation, emergency personnel could hear that Tattum was in a very distressed state.

Miller stated that when the ambulance crew arrived, the crew was forced to call police to the residence as Tattum smelled of alcohol, acted erratically, and interfered with their rescue efforts. Ethan was then transported to Poole General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Miller said that hospital personnel also noticed that Tattum was behaving erratically. Later that night Tattum was arrested on charges of manslaughter.

Miller added that Tattum denied the manslaughter charges, claiming that he left his son on the sofa while he went to prepare a baby bottle. Tattum claimed that when he returned, Ethan was bleeding from the nose and soon stopped breathing.

The court heard that baby Ethan had sustained trauma to the head and spine and had bruises on the face.

Ms Miller told the court: “He caused injuries to Ethan’s face either by hitting him or hitting him against something. He also probably shook him. The head injuries were severe and caused Ethan’s death.”

”We do not say Mr. Tattum intended to kill baby Ethan or intended to cause him serious harm, but whatever he did do that evening, it caused him to die.”

”He clearly assaulted him in some way and that assault any sober or reasonable person would realize would cause Ethan to sustain some harm,” she added.

The trial is expected to continue as the prosecution provides more evidence against Tattum.

         

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You Tube Laughing Babies Make Us Smile

By his own admission, Boston Globe columnist James Parker admits that he is a sucker for the many laughing baby videos which surface on You Tube. They are circulated around the world on the internet.  He claims he has a short attention span, and that normal run-of-the mill “forwarded” videos received in his email box just don’t capture his interest.

But he makes an exception for any micro-video of a small child laughing his head off.  Parker mentions You Tube favorite Baby Ethan and the newspaper episode.  Ethan is overjoyed with the sound of the newspaper ripping and laughs and laughs.  His laugh is contagious — Ethan’s dad, behind the camera, becomes part of the game.

Another of Parker’s favorites is baby William Nilsson, a Swedish baby laughing and playing with his dad while he sits in his high chair in the kitchen.  Since that video was posted to You Tube in 2006, it has been viewed more than 95 million times.  According to Parker, even the Queen of England has viewed that one!

I think I understand Parker’s “weakness.”  You don’t have to read far before you see many counselors, doctors, ministers and pastors who advise that laughter is good for the soul.  James Parker has reminded me of that today.  After writing for several weeks about the trial of Baby Grace, the starvation of Chauntasia Gardner and other “newsworthy” tragedies involving the kidnapping, heinous abuse and death of young children, I needed this reminder.

I am the grandmother of 14-month old twin boys.  I spent the day with them yesterday.  I laughed, and I played like a baby myself.  I got on my hands and knees and crawled all over the house.  I was exhausted when they left, but my spirit was renewed.

And then the night came.  My husband is recovering from knee surgery, and it was his third night of pain, tossing, turning and no sleep.  This morning I quickly became impatient and angry with the situation.  Then I sat down to write and read about babies, and I came across James Parker’s post entitled, “Laughing Babies.”  Of course, the first thing I did was go to You Tube and search for Baby Ethan and William Nilsson.  Parker is so right!  You simply cannot watch these videos without smiling and beginning to chuckle yourself.  Immediately, my mind was taken back to the day before when I experienced firsthand the laughing of my grandbabies.

I don’t think Parker’s habit is a weakness at all, but rather a strength.  He recognizes what makes him stronger, what builds him up.

So, if it’s one of those downer days for you — we all have them, you know — find some laughing babies!  Maybe your own.  Maybe your grandchildren.  Maybe You Tube.  Wherever, find them!  I promise it will brighten your day!

To read James Parker’s post in full, Laughing Babies.

         

Popular Baby Names - Emily has lost the top spot to Emma

Ever popular baby name Emily, which had a 12 year reign as the No.1 name for girls ended in 2008. Emma is now the top baby name for girls, followed by Isabella, Emily, Madison and Ava. Jacob for boys.

Jacob was the top baby boy’s name for the 10th year.

“Barack” didn’t crack the top 1,000, though he did move up a record 10,126 spots, to No. 2,409.

Elvis is still in the building, but he fell from 673 to 713.

Popular teen singer Miley Cyrus, had her name moved up 152 spots to No. 127. Her stage name, Hannah, (Hannah Montana) fell from No. 9 to No. 17.

Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue said: “There’s something about naming a child that’s a very existential statement,”

“As you read through this you see the influence of recent immigration, religion, popular culture. Sometimes, it’s just people who are admired.”

The Social Security Administration started compiling name lists in 1997. The agency offers lists of baby names dating to 1880.

The top five boys names remained unchanged from 2007. Jacob was followed by Michael, Ethan, Joshua and Daniel the Social Security Administration announced Friday.