Man avoids jail over baby's brain damage
April 2, 2007

A MELBOURNE man who shook his six-week-old daughter so severely that she suffered brain damage has avoided jail, because he's now the best person to care for her.

Peter Rallis, 40, of Carnegie, received a suspended three-year jail sentence today after he pleaded guilty to negligently causing serious injury to his daughter. The Victorian County Court was told Rallis admitted shaking the baby, then six weeks old, twice while he was looking after her in February, 2005.

She now suffers cerebral palsy, spasticity, a post-natal diffuse cerebral injury and seizures. Judge Frances Hogan said Rallis's actions had destroyed the potential of a perfect newborn baby to have a normal life.

She said the baby's injuries were extensive, debilitating and permanent, and she would have to depend on others for her basic needs.

However, Judge Hogan also recognised that Rallis had quit his job, became the baby's main carer and devoted himself to her needs. She said if he was imprisoned this would disadvantage her and his family. " Ironically, although you are the person who caused her to be so needy, you are the best person to continue to address her needs."

Source: © 2007 Queensland Newspapers.