How Could You? Hall of Shame -Reginald Tanubagijo -Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Suisun, California, foster parent Reginald Tanubagijo, aged 54, pleaded “not guilty in Solano County Superior Court to one count of homicide and one count of child abuse resulting in death” on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in the death of a 3 month old infant that was in his and his wife’s care.

“Tanubagijo was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse on Nov. 30, 2010, the day after police and emergency personnel were called to his home where they found the unresponsive infant. The child was taken to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and then to Children’s Hospital & Research Center in Oakland, where he died from his injuries, police said. ”

A preliminary hearing is set for March 16, 2011. Tanubagijo remains in custody without bail.

Solano County Judge Sets Preliminary Hearing Date in Baby’s Death

[The Reporter 3/2/11]

Update: “Reginald Tanubagijo, 54, of Suisun, has pleaded not guilty in Solano County Superior Court to one count of homicide and one count of child abuse resulting in death. It is alleged that an infant who had been entrusted to his care died in the hospital from injuries that medical personnel referred to as “non-accidental trauma,” according to police.

On Wednesday, Nelson set 8:30 a.m. May 5 for a readiness conference and set 9:30 a.m. June 1 for a preliminary hearing.”

” Custody of the child was…given to Tanubagijo and his wife, both of whom are approved foster care providers and, according to authorities, had undergone the extensive screening process.”

Solano County Foster Dad Appears in Court in Homicide, Abuse Case

[Contra Costa Times 3/17/11]

Update 2: “A routine request to delay a preliminary hearing into homicide and child abuse charges against a Suisun City foster dad turned into a passionate plea by his defense counsel to grant him bail in Solano County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Reginald Tanubagijo, 54, of Suisun, is charged with one count of homicide and one count of child abuse resulting in death. Suisun City police arrested him on suspicion of felony child abuse Nov. 30, 2010, the day after police and emergency personnel were called to his Youngstown Lane home, where they found an unresponsive infant. Surrendered at birth, county officials granted custody of the child to Tanubagijo and his wife, both of whom are approved foster care providers.

Tanubagijo posted bail, but police were called his home about a week later only to find him unresponsive and suffering from what police said were self-inflicted wounds. He was re-arrested after his discharge from a local hospital.

He has since been held in Solano County Jail without bail awaiting a preliminary hearing, which was scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Prior to the hearing, Tanubagijo’s attorney, Jaye Ryan Maas, asked for more time to receive and review evidence related to the case, which Superior Court Judge E. Bradley Nelson granted.

Maas then petitioned the judge to set bail. She argued her client shouldn’t remain in jail while defense experts look into the child’s death. Maas included the possibility she would request the exhumation of the child’s body.

Deputy District Attorney Terry Ray opposed the setting of bail, noting the child was in Tanubagijo’s care when it suffered from what medical personnel referred to as “non-accidental trauma.”

Ray told the judge police found a suicide note allegedly written by Tanubagijo that said, “I killed Buddy,” which was the name Tanubagijo had used to refer to the infant, she said.

Maas took exception to the prosecutor’s claims, and said the foster dad and his wife had received numerous letters of recommendation for being “phenomenal foster parents,” including one from State Sen. Lois Wolk. The child is dead from “nonaccidental” means. Tis the season to grant bail to foster and adoptive parents who kids died in their care.

According to Maas, Tanubagijo’s attempt at suicide was the result of depression stemming from authorities who “sat on his home” for days knowing the child was set to be taken off of life support and were anticipating making an arrest.

Maas argued the child’s death was accidental and the injuries consistent with it having fallen off of a table.

“I am horrified I am still having to represent my client,” Maas said.

“If she’s so horrified about representing her client then let’s put the evidence on,” Ray countered.

Nelson reviewed a mental health report previously ordered for Tanubagijo as Maas vowed he was no danger and would appear in court.

“We’re ready to stand up and fight these charges. He isn’t going anywhere,” Maas said.

Nelson set bail at $800,000 and ordered Tanubagijo back at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 13 when a new preliminary hearing date is expected to be set.”

Hearing delay in Suisun foster child death

[The Reporter 9/28/11 by Ryan Chalk]

Update 3: In a move to cover his behind, the judge wanted to explain why he granted a suspect of child homicide bail: “After spending nearly ten months behind bars awaiting a preliminary hearing into allegations of homicide and child abuse related to the death of a toddler, a Suisun City foster parent entered Solano County Superior Court on Thursday from a public entrance instead of a jail holding cell.

Superior Court Judge E. Bradley Nelson ordered Reginald Tanubagijo, 54, back to court after granting him bail earlier this week. Nelson set Tanubagijo’s bail in the amount of $800,000 on Tuesday after an impassioned plea from his defense counsel.

According to Nelson, the purpose for Thursday’s brief hearing was to explain his reasons for setting bail in the homicide case.

Nelson said that Tanubagijo’s age and lack of a prior criminal record were two factors he considered in setting bail. Tanubagijo also had significant ties to the community, which also influenced the decision, Nelson said. [Yea, I am sure his “ties” allowed him to get bail. A child is dead, hellooooo?]

“The nature of these ties was significant to the court,” Nelson said, without providing specifics.

Tanubagijo could face life in prison if convicted on the charges, however, Nelson acknowledged there were “unusual circumstances” to the case.

Of those, Nelson referred to “dueling pathologists” and a “big dispute” over the cause of death.

Suisun City police arrested Tanubagijo on suspicion of felony child abuse Nov. 30, 2010, the day after police and emergency personnel were called to his Youngstown Lane home, where they found an unresponsive infant. Days later, the child died from injuries that medical personnel referred to as “non-accidental trauma,” Suisun City police said at the time.

Surrendered at birth, county officials granted custody of the child to Tanubagijo and his wife, both of whom are approved foster care providers.

His defense counsel, Fairfield attorney Jaye Ryan Maas, contends the injuries suffered by the child were consistent with an accidental fall and that her client is innocent.

The bail amount posted by Tanubagijo is a little less than half of what the presumptive bail schedule would indicate, Nelson said Tuesday. Tanubagijo’s case was one in which bail could be set in a homicide, and below the bail schedule, Nelson said.

Nelson ordered Tanubagijo back at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 27 when it is expected he will set a preliminary hearing date.”

Suisun foster child death suspect granted bail

[The Reporter 9/30/11 by Ryan Chalk]

Update 4: “A Suisun City foster parent facing a homicide charge in connection with the death of an infant last year is now facing a civil lawsuit from the child’s mother, according to documents filed in Solano County Superior Court.

An attorney for Vallejo resident Christina Bito filed the civil lawsuit last week and seeks an unspecified amount in monetary damages for what the filing describes as a “willful and malicious” assault on the child she surrendered at birth. Also named in the lawsuit are the foster parent, Reginald Tanubagijo, his wife, Tammy, Solano County, the child’s biological father and up to 100 others yet to be identified.

Suisun City police arrested Tanubagijo on suspicion of felony child abuse Nov. 30, 2010, the day after police and emergency personnel were called to his Youngstown Lane home, where they found an unresponsive infant, identified as Christian Bito Ocampo, according to court papers. The homicide charge was added after the 3-month-old infant died at the hospital a week later.

Surrendered at birth, county officials granted custody of the child to Tanubagijo and his wife, both of whom are approved foster care providers.

Tanubagijo, who is free on bail, was in court on the criminal charge this week. Judge E. Bradley Nelson ordered him back in two weeks for the setting of a probable-cause hearing. Tanubagijo’s attorney has proclaimed his innocence and characterized the child’s death as accidental.

Nelson, at Tanubagijo’s earlier bail hearing, acknowledged his significant ties to the community and lack of a criminal record in his decision to set bail in the homicide case. His attorney also referenced numerous letters of recommendation for being “phenomenal foster parents.”

Bito’s wrongful death claim is seeking damages for medical and hospital expenses, burial and funeral costs, loss of love, society and comfort of the child. The lawsuit also claims that the county and others were negligent in the hiring and training of Tanubagijo.

Bito’s claim alleges the child died as a result of Tanubagijo’s assault with the intent to do harm and/or the conscious disregard of the child’s safety. The court filing does not detail why the child was entrusted to the Tanubagijo’s care.

Tanubagijo, or an attorney representing him, has not yet filed a response to Bito’s wrongful death claim. A case management conference was set for May.”

Suisun City foster father, Solano County, others sued in boy’s death

[The Reporter 1/21/12 by Ryan Chalk]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

With self-inflicted wounds on the alleged child abuser and the “nonaccidental” injuries that killed the child, clearly the homestudy was not thorough enough.

Update 5: “Whether a Suisun City toddler’s death in 2010 was a homicide or accidental is the focus of a preliminary hearing that began Tuesday in Solano County Superior Court.

Prosecutors are hoping a judge will hold Suisun City foster parent Reginald Tanubagijo, 54, for trial on charges of homicide and child abuse for the death of a nearly three-month-old infant boy. The first day of proceedings got underway with several police officers and doctors taking the witness stand.

Suisun City police Sgt. Andrew White testified he responded to Tanubagijo’s Youngstown Lane residence on Nov. 29, 2010 after hearing a report of a baby choking on milk and having difficulty breathing.

First to respond to the home, White testified that the baby, known as “Buddy,” had white fluid coming out of its nose and mouth. White tried clearing any obstructions in the baby’s airway before moving on to performing CPR.

Paramedics would arrive and transport the child to NorthBay Medical Center.

The child was taken to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland the following day after NorthBay Medical Center staff noted that he may have had a head injury.

Dr. Rachel Gilgoff, a child abuse pediatrician, testified that, “both sides of his brain were extremely compromised,” as tests revealed he was suffering from significant bleeding and swelling in the brain.

“His injury is extremely consistent with abusive head trauma, or shaken baby syndrome,” Gilgoff testified.

The baby died on Dec. 5, 2010, after being taken off of life support.

How the baby was injured will continue to be the focus of the proceedings, as Tanubagijo’s defense counsel, Martinez criminal defense attorney Jaye Ryan spent a considerable amount of time quizzing Gilgoff on how such an injury could be inflicted, as well as her knowledge of the medical research surrounding shaken baby syndrome, more commonly referred to these days as abusive head trauma.

After Gilgoff testified that the baby’s injury would have required “significant force,” Ryan questioned her with a series of hypothetical situations involving an accidental fall from a table.

“In extremely rare circumstances can children fall short distances and die,” Gilgoff testified.

Gilgoff also testified the severe retinal hemorrhaging in the child’s eyes was consistent with abusive head trauma.

Ryan questioned whether the hemmorhages could have been caused by the swelling of the brain following an accidental fall.

Gilgoff testified that brain swelling could result in “a few” retinal hemmorhages, but not to the level seen in the child.

The doctor further testified that this was, “the worst case of retinal hemmorhages I have seen in my career.”

Ryan also asked if Gilgoff had been given information that Tanubagijo may have shaken the baby in an attempt to revive it.

The doctor testified that she had, and added that sometimes a baby might be shaken to check consciousness.

“If someone is shaking a baby in an attempt to revive it something horrific has already happened,” Gilgoff testified.

The preliminary hearing is expected to continue at 9:30 a.m. today in the Fairfield courtroom of Judge E. Bradley Nelson.”

Hearing begins in Suisun child death case

[The Reporter 7/25/12 by Ryan Chalk]

Update 6: “Two doctors called to testify by prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Terry Ray have opined that non-accidental trauma caused the death of a nearly three-month-old baby boy in Nov. 2010. The foster father, Reginald Tanubagijo, has pleaded not guilty to charges of homicide and child abuse in connection with the death of the child, referred to as, “Buddy.”

A Suisun City police officer responded to Tanubagijo’s Youngstown Lane home on Nov. 29, 2010 after hearing a medical dispatch for a baby choking on milk. After performing CPR, medical personnel transported the baby to NorthBay Medical Center, where a CT scan revealed a possible head injury.

The baby was then transported to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland the following day and died after being taken off of life support a week later.

Tanubagijo had already been arrested and released on bail, and during that time, Officer Michael Shephard responded to the Tanubagijo home for a report of a suicide attempt.

Shephard testified that he found Tanubagijo slumped over with a bloody towel over his arm and a very large laceration to his wrist.

Inside the kitchen, Shephard testified that he found a note that read, “I killed Buddy.”

Other notes found at the home read, “I did killed Buddy,” and “Tell the judge I did killed Buddy,” the officer further testified.

Following the child’s death Tanubagijo was re-arrested and charged with homicide.

Wednesday saw the conclusion of testimony from Dr. Michelle Jorden, a forensic neuropathologist.

Jorden testified that it was her opinion that Buddy had suffered a traumatic brain injury leading up to his choking episode.

Dr. Rachel Gilgoff, a child abuse pediatrician, previously testified that, “both sides of his brain were extremely compromised,” as tests revealed he was suffering from significant bleeding and swelling in the brain.

“I think it’s a combination of shaking and impact,” Jorden testified as to the cause of the injuries.

Jorden also testified that the series of statements made by Tanubagijo to law enforcement didn’t add up.

Jorden testified that in her understanding of the case, Tanubagijo first told police the baby was being fed milk and started choking, then the story was amended to include a fall, and further statements included that the baby was in a chair when it fell off of a table.

Jorden testified that when she is presented with a truthful accidental head trauma case, the story never changes.

“The truth is told from the get-go,” Jorden testified.

Tanubagijo’s defense counsel, Martinez criminal defense attorney Jaye Ryan, indicated that she would introduce her client’s full statement to police when the hearing resumes today. Ryan has spent a considerable amount of time cross-examining the prosecution’s experts on their understanding of abusive head trauma, formerly referred to by experts as shaken baby syndrome.

Tanubagijo remains out of custody after posting $800,00 bond.”

Testimony continues in Suisun baby death case

[The Reporter 7/26/12 by Ryan Chalk]

Update 7: “Following an earlier order to stand trial on charges of murder and felony child abuse related to the death of an infant in 2010, a Suisun City foster father pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in Solano County Superior Court.

After a four-day probable-cause hearing last month, Judge E. Bradley Nelson ruled that there was sufficient evidence to order Reginald Tanubagijo to stand trial in relation to the death of a 3-month-old boy in his care that he had named Buddy. On Wednesday, Tanubagijo entered his not guilty pleas to both counts and a jury trial date was set for Oct. 10.

The proceedings focused heavily on testimony from medical experts who opined that the baby’s injuries were not consistent with an accidental fall.

A Suisun City police officer responded to Tanubagijo’s Youngstown Lane home on Nov. 29, 2010, after hearing a medical dispatch for a baby choking on milk. After performing CPR, medical personnel transported the baby to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield, where a CT scan revealed a possible head injury.

Buddy was transported to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland the following day and died after being taken off life support a week later.

Two experts called to testify by prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Terry Ray noted that the severe retinal hemorrhaging that doctors observed in the child’s eyes was consistent with abusive head trauma, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome.

Martinez criminal defense attorney Jaye Ryan, stated that Tanubagijo was feeding the baby, who was in a Boppy chair — a cushioned support seat — placed on top of a table when his foot accidentally stepped on a portion of the tablecloth, sending the chair and child tumbling to the tile floor. [Even if this is the case, this is not “accidental” but fully NEGLECTFUL…a BOPPY SEAT ON TOP OF A TABLE AND WITH A FLOORLENGTH TABLECLOTH TOO? ]

Ryan indicated she may file motions to exclude certain scientific evidence at trial that is not the result of a theory that has “general acceptance” in the scientific community. She spent a considerable amount of time during the probable-cause hearing quizzing the prosecution’s experts on their knowledge of the evolving theories surrounding shaken baby syndrome and confronted experts with research to suggest that many “short fall” deaths have been misclassified as “shaken baby” deaths over the years.

On Wednesday, Nelson also took up the issue of Tanubagijo’s ability to pay for his attorney. Nelson found that Tanubagijo was eligible for a court-appointed attorney, however, both the Solano County Public Defender and Conflict Defender office’s indicated that they could not represent him.

Nelson ultimately appointed Ryan to continue to represent Tanubagijo.

He remains out of custody after posting $800,000 bond.”

Foster dad pleads not guilty in Solano County

[The Reporter 8/16/12 by Ryan Chalk]

Update 8: “A Suisun City foster father who faces a murder charge for the death of his 3-month-old foster child had his jury trial set to start next week postponed Monday until February 2013.

Reginald Tanubagijo, 56, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and felony child abuse causing death.

Authorities believe Tanubagijo violently shook the child, Christian Bito, and possibly struck the child’s head against an object, causing a severe head injury on the night of Nov. 29, 2010. Tanubagijo told police the child lost consciousness after a fall from a table and that he shook the child trying to revive him, according to police testimony during a probable cause hearing.

Judge E. Bradley Nelson rescheduled the start of the trial for Feb. 26, 2013.

After several months in jail, Tanubagijo posted an $800,000 bail.”

Judge delays trial for foster father accused in child’s death

[Daily Republic 10/2/12 by Jes Sullivan]

Update 9/August 10, 2013

A search of the Solano County, California court records shows that a case management conference is scheduled for October 30, 2013.

Update 10:“Nearly four years after a Suisun City foster father called 9-1-1 to report an infant in his care was choking on milk, testimony began on Wednesday in his trial where he is accused of the baby’s eventual death.

Attorneys in the trial for Reginald Tanubagijo delivered opening statements in Solano County Superior Court, offering up starkly different views of what the evidence will prove over the course of coming weeks. Tanubagijo is charged with second degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in connection with the death of a three-and-a-half month old boy, whom he and his wife called Buddy.

According to testimony, the first person on scene at Tanubagijo’s Youngstown Lane home on Nov. 29, 2010, was Suisun City police Sgt. Andrew White.

White testified that Tanubagijo answered the door and told him that the baby wasn’t breathing and was choking on milk. Without being given any other explanation, White began chest compressions on the child which was turning blue, eventually getting a response after about 45 compressions.

Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Robert Hightower told jurors that the baby’s choking was the result of an assault.

“The scariest moment is when they’re suffering. You want to fix it right now, you want to do whatever it takes to make that child’s suffering stop. This is not one of those cases,” Hightower told the jury on Wednesday.

According to Hightower, Tanubagijo allegedly changed his story when questioned by investigators, stating that the baby was accidentally dropped while he was feeding him, and he lightly shook it to revive it.

However, Hightower said that medical experts would testify that the child suffered a massive bi-lateral subdural hematoma, injuries consistent with an assault.

“You will not hear any evidence whatsoever that he was dropped,” Hightower said.

A four day probable cause hearing in July 2012 included testimony that Buddy was transported to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield, where a CT scan revealed a possible head injury. Buddy was then transported to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland the following day and died after being taken off life support a week later.

Tanubagijo’s defense counsel, Martinez criminal defense attorney Jaye Ryan, on the other hand showed jurors a number of commendations he and his wife had received for their work as foster parents.

“Mr. Tanubagijo is a wonderful man,” Ryan said.

Ryan showed for jurors pictures of the Tanubagijo home, and a picture of a wire baby chair placed on the kitchen table, where she indicated Buddy was seated as he took a bottle of formula.

Ryan stated for the jury that the baby began to choke on the formula and Tanubagijo panicked. As he reached to lift Buddy out of the chair, his foot caught the tablecloth, which touched the floor, causing the chair, and Buddy, to tumble onto the granite floor.

She called it “absolutely absurd” that Tanubagijo would suddenly begin to shake the child that by all accounts was not even crying.

Ryan further stated that there is conflicting evidence regarding the cause and manner of death in Buddy’s case.

She stated that the pathologists who performed the autopsy on Buddy were not given the portion of Tanubagijo’s statement where he indicated that there was an accidental fall, information they could have taken into account in rendering an opinion.

In addition, Ryan stated that the research on what was once called shaken baby theory has evolved over the years, and become controversial.

“These doctors are all over the place with the controversy,” Ryan said.

The trial is expected to resume at 9:45 a.m. today in the Fairfield courtroom of Judge Robert Bowers.

Tanubagijo has pleaded not guilty and remains out of custody on $250,000 bond”

Testimony begins in trial for foster father accused in infant death case[The Reporter 7/9/14 by Ryan Caulk]

Update 11:”Nearly four years after making a 9-1-1 call to report an infant was unresponsive and choking on milk, a Suisun City foster father was convicted on Tuesday of second degree murder and felony child abuse charges after jurors sided with the prosecution, finding the baby had been assaulted.

A Solano County Superior Court jury convicted Reginald Tanubagijo of the charges following a trial that lasted nearly a month. The trial, which included a number of medical expert witnesses who gave sometimes dueling opinions of the infant’s injuries, also included numerous witnesses who said Tanubagijo was a loving and gentle father.

Tanubagijo was feeding the three-month-old boy, whom he referred to as Buddy, a bottle on Nov. 29, 2010, according to testimony. He called 9-1-1 to report the infant was choking on milk that evening, sending a Suisun City police officer and paramedics rushing to the home.

However, a CT scan performed at NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield revealed a possible head injury.

Buddy was airlifted to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland where he would be taken off of life support five days later.

Buddy suffered from massive subdural hematomas and severe retinal hemorrhages, according to testimony.

Medical experts for the prosecution included their opinion that the injuries Buddy suffered could be labeled as abusive head trauma, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome.

“This was no accident,” prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Rob Hightower argued to the jury last week.

“The evidence is consistent with violent shaking and/or slamming,” he added.

Investigators, aware of the child’s head injuries, interviewed Tanubagijo twice in the days after he made the initial 9-1-1 call.

Jurors watched a video recording of his second interview with investigators, in which he states that Buddy fell from the kitchen table. Late in that second interview, Tanubagijo admitted to shaking the baby four-to-five times in an attempt to revive it after the fall.

Tanubagijo took the witness stand in his own defense and testified that he neglected to tell anyone that as Buddy began to choke, he reached over to where the child was placed in a chair on top of the table, causing it to topple over onto the tile floor.

He testified that he was afraid and ashamed to tell anyone immediately.

“The first 12 hours I did not tell. After that I told everything,” Tanubagijo testified.

A civil suit filed by the child’s birth mother in 2012 against Tanubagijo has been pending.

The suit, in which the mother seeks an unspecified amount in monetary damages for what the filing describes as a “willful and malicious” assault on the child she surrendered at birth, is set to be heard at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 3 in the Fairfield courtroom of Judge Scott L. Kays.

Tanubagijo had been out of custody on $250,000 bond while awaiting trial. On Tuesday, Judge Robert Bowers ordered him remanded into Solano County Jail custody.

Attorneys were ordered back to court on Sept. 26 to select a date for judgement and sentencing.”

 

Jury convicts Suisun City foster father in 2010 infant death case[The Reporter 7/29/14 by Ryan Chalk]

Update 12:”New trial motion expected in 2010 infant death case

A former Suisun City foster father who was convicted of second degree murder in July was back in Solano County Superior Court on Friday, although attorneys delayed the setting of a date to argue for a new trial.

Reginald Tanubagijo was convicted by a jury of second degree murder and felony child abuse charges in connection with the Nov. 29, 2010, death of an infant in his care. The baby was rushed to a hospital that night after Tanubagijo told paramedics it began choking on milk, however, tests revealed it had suffered head trauma, according to testimony.

The child, Buddy, was airlifted to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland where he would be taken off of life support five days later.

Tanubagijo took the witness stand in his own defense and testified that he neglected to tell anyone that as Buddy began to choke, he reached over to where the child was placed in a chair on top of the table, causing it to topple over onto the tile floor.

He testified that he was afraid and ashamed to tell anyone immediately.

Tanubagijo’s defense attorney is expected to file a motion for a new trial, and at a prior hearing, allegations of potential juror misconduct were indicated as a possible argument.

Tanubagijo was ordered back to court on Dec. 2, for the setting of a date when attorneys will argue the new trial motion. He remains in Solano County Jail custody without bail.”

Buddy suffered from massive subdural hematomas and severe retinal hemorrhages, according to testimony.

Medical experts for the prosecution included their opinion that the injuries Buddy suffered could be labeled as abusive head trauma, formerly known as shaken baby syndrome.

Investigators, aware of the child’s head injuries, interviewed Tanubagijo twice in the days after he made the initial 9-1-1 call.

Jurors watched a video recording of his second interview with investigators, in which he states that Buddy fell from the kitchen table. Late in that second interview, Tanubagijo admitted to shaking the baby four-to-five times in an attempt to revive it after the fall.”

Suisun City foster father convicted in infant death case to argue for new trial[Contra Costa Times 10/18/14 by Ryan Chalk]