Child Protective Services was called in and everyone who was with Troy during the previous 10 days was investigated. The other twin, Trey, went to stay with my sister until I could be investigated and their brother stayed with my mother. After I was investigated and cleared, the children were put in my custody until their mother (my daughter) could be cleared.
Troy went through two brain surgeries, a shunt was put in, and he was in the hospital for a month, much of his time being spent in Infant ICU. It was the most frightening thing I have ever been through. The doctors said he had been vigorously shaken and thrown like a ragdoll! Miraculously, he recovered! When he was released from the hospital (Halloween 1995), he came home with me; not his mother. His head still had the metal stitches in it.
Child Protective Services finally came to the conclusion that it was the babysitter that shook Troy. Several of the other children, that the babysitter kept, finally told what they saw the babysitter do to BOTH of the twins. It was horrible! Their mother was cleared and got to take her children home with her. However, it is something none of us will ever get over.
The District Attorney said there was not enough evidence to persue a case against the babysitter; the word of the children against her's was not enough! There was only circumstantial evidence! So, she went free!
Troy seems to be advancing the same as his twin brother, Trey. So, we are very lucky! I pray every day that he never will have any effects from this experience. There is a constant reminder....the huge scar on the left side of his head from the surgery!
We know how lucky we are because so many children are lost to Shaken Baby Syndrome. We are so very, very grateful that Troy was not one of them and are so very sypathetic to the families that have gone through this and lost their babies!
Maybe my page can get the word out to a few more people and help put an end to child abuse.
UPDATE: (December 2007)
Troy is now 12 years old. He is in the 7th grade and plays the tuba in the band. He also played football this year. I was a little apprehensive; but, the doctor cleared him to play. Troy is an A-B honor roll student and takes Pre-AP classes. We are so proud of him ... and his twin brother, Trey. They have both had to overcome so many obstacles in their lives to get where they are today!
UPDATE: (December 2009)
Troy is now 14 years old. He is a freshman in high school and takes Pre-Ap classes. He is doing very well. We are so lucky!
UPDATE: (December 2013)
Troy is now 18 years old. He graduated from Corpus Christi College Preporatory High School in May. He is a freshman at Del Mar College. We are so proud of him and his twin brother, Trey.
This Protect All Children site is owned by Orene Harris Custer.
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Orene Harris Custer
Page Prepared: September 1999
Last update: 15 December 2013
