Baby near death after mother’s abuse: Investigators say teen-age mom shook, possibly hit, child

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

ROWLAND

In a case of shaken baby syndrome, a local teen and her mother face up to 25 years in prison after the teen’s 5-week-old child suffered brain injuries, leaving the infant clinging to life at Vanderbilt.

The mother of the child, Anais Ramirez, 17, and her mother, Ivellessee Machudo, 34, are charged with aggravated child abuse. Ramirez is charged in juvenile court for the delinquent act, but prosecutors have announced they will seek to try Ramirez as an adult. A transfer hearing will be held before Juvenile Court Judge Larry Ross this Monday afternoon.

The two were charged after Ramirez’s 5-week-old son was transported to Vanderbilt University Hospital last week, suffering severe brain injuries. Preliminary medical reports revealed the injuries were suffered by either being shaken or struck with great force. The exact extent of the brain damage may not be known for some time and doctors say there are no assurances the baby will survive.

An investigation led lawmen to Ramirez, who reportedly confessed to abusing the child. During a detention hearing Monday in juvenile court, District Attorney Investigator Jason Rowland testified Ramirez confessed to shaking the baby and then throwing the child. In an unusual move, Ramirez, seated at the defense table, nodded her head in agreement while Rowland testified about her confession.

The incident reportedly occurred last Monday at the High Garden apartment of Ramirez’s 17-year-old boyfriend. She lived there part time.

Following the incident, Ramirez reportedly took the baby to her mother’s home, where she left the injured child. Lawmen maintain Ramirez, before and after the incident, had been seen at a local nightclub, where she used a fake ID to gain entry.

In charging Ramirez’s mother, lawmen contend Machudo was a nurse’s aide and knew, or should have known, the baby had suffered severe injuries. However, warrants emphasize Machudo did not seek medical treatment after the baby was left in her care for 14 hours.

If transferred from juvenile court next week, Ramirez would face 15 to 25 years in prison if convicted. If she were to stay in juvenile court, she could only be committed until her 19th birthday.