ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Father jailed for shaking baby so hard it has been left severely disabled

The innocent baby is now being kept artificially alive - by Amber Wemyss
  • 22 Jul 2019
Father jailed for shaking baby so hard it has been left severely disabled

A South Australian man has been sentenced to four years in prison after he 'snapped' and shook his baby last year.

When interviewed by police, Brandon Lee Harris, 22, admitted to shaking his son twice for about to or three seconds.

The incident occurred in May, 2018 when Harris was trying to settle his son who was less than six weeks old.

Taking him to the doctor, Harris explained that his son was 'breathing funny'. He was also found to have dilated pupils, irregular breathing and a bruise on his wrist.

The baby was then taken to hospital where he was placed on emergency neo-natal resuscitation and suffered seizures.

While Harris initially suggested that the boy may have injured himself during a feed, he later admitted to police he had shaken his son twice because he wouldn't settle during the night.

The boy has been left with brain damage, severe spastic quadriplegia, epilepsy and blindness.

Speaking at a pre-sentencing hearing earlier this month, the court heard Harris 'snapped' when trying to settle his young son in the early hours of May 22, 2018.

Prosecutor Patrick Dawes said that the child's development has effectively frozen. 'He now has the functioning of a 12-week old baby and yet a year of his life has elapsed,' he added.

'[The boy's] life will be severely diminished,' he said. 'It is certainly not the case that he is going to live until a happy adult life.'

The court also heard that before shaking his son, Harris had also dropped him on the floor, causing a fracture to his collarbone.

Harris pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated recklessly causing serious harm to his own child and was jailed for four years with a non-parole period of 18 months.

  • News
  • Real Life
Amber Wemyss
Amber Wemyss
Amber is a Features Writer for that's life! Her work has also been published with 7News, New Idea, Practical Parenting, Kidspot, Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Pick Me Up, Real People, Chat and Daily Star.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

There was no room for my boy's brain

There was no room for my boy's brain

Perfect JUST as they are!

Perfect JUST as they are!

{headline}

{headline}

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Miracle baby born not breathing for seven minutes came back to life

Miracle baby born not breathing for seven minutes came back to life

'A stranger had our son's baby - SEVEN YEARS after he died'

'A stranger had our son's baby - SEVEN YEARS after he died'

{headline}

{headline}

Man who broke quarantine to visit girlfriend is first to be jailed

Man who broke quarantine to visit girlfriend is first to be jailed

Mum's medical mystery: 'I couldn't cuddle my boy for TWO YEARS'

Mum's medical mystery: 'I couldn't cuddle my boy for TWO YEARS'

'So in love' Britain's biggest family welcomes baby number 22

'So in love' Britain's biggest family welcomes baby number 22

Baby surprise - I had no clue I was due

Baby surprise - I had no clue I was due

My baby and I came back from the dead

My baby and I came back from the dead

Man who crushed toddler to death with car seat is jailed

Man who crushed toddler to death with car seat is jailed

BIRTH SHOCK: Young Melbourne model has SURPRISE BABY on bathroom floor

BIRTH SHOCK: Young Melbourne model has SURPRISE BABY on bathroom floor

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!