TRR photo by David Hulse The “Skipper” initiative is trying to reduce the number of babies killed and injured in caregiver shaking incidents in New York. (Click for larger image)

County calls for baby protection law

Local mother pleads for leniency for ‘shaking’ defendant

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO — The preventable death of perhaps 1000 infants and diagnosed injuries to 2000 more is something the Sullivan County Legislature wants changed.

The legislature proclaims all kinds of “weeks” and “months” throughout the year, but they backed a “Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) Awareness Week” proclamation with a formal resolution on April 26.

A late-filed resolution, chairman Rusty Pomeroy said he wanted a formal position from the legislature to help with passage of pending legislation that would require hospitals to help educate new parents about the danger.

On hand for the county’s action were advocates Sheila Lithco and Gerald Jacobowitz of the “skipper” initiative, so named for 11-month-old George “Skipper” Lithco of Poughkeepsie.

Skipper died of SBS brain injuries last December, when his 51-year-old grandmother who was watching him while his parents worked, lost control and shook the baby violently after he spit up on her.

Ms. Lithco, Skipper’s aunt, spoke briefly appealing for support. “People need the knowledge… I hope (SBS) can be prevented, so that no other family has to go through what we’ve went through,” she said.

The resolution came one day before Barryville mother, Kelleen Foerster, appealed to the Sullivan County court for leniency in the sentencing of David Butler, who pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter charges in the February 22 shaking death of her three- year-old son, Jonathan Foerster.

Butler, Ms. Foerster’s boyfriend, was acting as caregiver to her three children at the time of the incident.

In an unexpected appearance in court, she reportedly told Judge Frank LaBuda that Butler was, and still is, a man she trusts with her children- and said her other children now miss him.

Butler, who is facing four to 12 years on the second-degree manslaughter charge, was said to have wept uncontrollably as she spoke.

LaBuda postponed sentencing until May 10 to consider her request.

“Skipper” initiative supporters are pressing for statewide use of a new parental education program developed in the Buffalo area, which is said to have significantly reduced SBS cases in the region.

For more information about the “Skipper” intitiative and SBS prevention contact George Lithco at 845/778-2121, ext. 272, or through gwl@jacobowitz.com, or Christine Honig at 845/297-4779 or foxzswim@aol.com.