IN PLAYFUL interactions with babies, common activities like blowing raspberries or playing peek-a-boo are cherished moments. Yet, a lesser-known and seemingly harmless action can, in an instant, transform a family’s life forever.
This is the heart-wrenching reality for Sierra Cooke, a mother from Raleigh, North Carolina, who is bravely sharing her story about shaken baby syndrome.
Cooke is the mother of four children; two alive and two in heaven. Her life, before and after the tragedy, has been a testament to strength and resilience.
As a dedicated house parent working for a local ministry alongside her new husband Canyon, Cooke has channelled her pain into a powerful message on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Cooke has been using her social media platforms to raise awareness about shaken baby syndrome (SBS) after the tragic loss of her 3-year-old daughter, Christa.
Christa’s death was a result of a severe injury inflicted by her biological father, who, according to Cooke, was not fully honest about the events that led to their daughter's suffering.
Shaken baby syndrome, also known as abusive head trauma, is a serious injury caused by violently shaking an infant or toddler. The force of the shaking makes the child’s brain move inside the skull, leading to bruising, swelling and bleeding.
This form of child abuse can have devastating and long-lasting effects.
@shakenbabymom My precious Christa 🤍💔👼🏻 #specialneedsmom #specialneeds #ourstory @Sierra Cooke why isnt he in jail? @Sierra Cooke what do you mean by shaken? @Sierra Cooke ♬ Emotional - Bang Nono
Symptoms may include severe irritability, difficulty staying awake, breathing issues, poor feeding, tremors, vomiting, pale or blueish skin, seizures and paralysis.
Sometimes, symptoms may not be immediately visible, but the consequences of SBS can be severe, including developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, speech and learning difficulties, behavioural disorders, severe brain damage, blindness, seizures and even death.
Cooke shared her story in heartfelt social media posts and video entries, detailing how Christa, who was just three months old, was rushed to the hospital with a body temperature of 94°F and severe lethargy after being alone with her father.
Cooke's emotional posts and videos describe the nightmare she went through.
“Doctors and nurses were running in and out, asking me a hundred questions I couldn’t answer,” she said.
“I looked into my three-month-old’s eyes and all I saw was a blank stare. The smiling, happy baby I held the day before was gone. They managed to stabilise her for transfer to a Children’s Hospital, but I still didn’t understand what was happening.”
Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) often happens when a parent or caregiver becomes overwhelmed or frustrated by a baby's constant crying. Even just a few seconds of shaking can cause serious injuries, leading to brain damage, permanent disabilities or even death.
Why does shaken baby syndrome occur? It usually happens when caregivers, struggling with a crying baby, think shaking might stop the crying.
They may be stressed or overwhelmed, finding it hard to cope with the demands of caring for a child. Sometimes, caregivers simply don’t realise how dangerous shaking a baby can be.
According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, there are between 600 and 1 400 cases of shaken baby syndrome in the US each year. This condition is the most common cause of child abuse death in children younger than 5 years old in the US.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with SBS, and she lost almost all brain function.
"My daughter was on life support for two weeks. The doctors told me she would most likely never come off of it, and if she did, it wouldn’t be during her first try.
“She came off the vent, her first try after being on it for two weeks. They also told me that she would most likely never move or open her eyes. After a few weeks she opened her eyes and began moving her arms and legs some."
Despite her initial survival, Christa lived with severe medical issues, including seizures, cerebral palsy, feeding tube dependence, and blindness. She spent many nights in the hospital and underwent several surgeries.
Christa was born on February 9, 2017, and passed away on October 13, 2020, following a stroke caused by the abuse.
Despite her daughter's challenges, Cooke reflects on how Christa's presence brought joy to many.
She said: “It reminds me of how much joy and love we can give to others, especially when we still have the ability to speak, see and move.”