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Pinellas Deputies: Child Dies In Possible Shaken Baby Case

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TBO.com

Published: September 2, 2008

Updated: 09/02/2008 12:54 pm

A 1-year-old baby who investigators think might have been the victim of shaken-baby syndrome at a home day care center died over the weekend, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda.

A man answering the telephone at the baby's grandparents' home identified himself as her uncle and confirmed her name was Maria Ruth Harris. He declined to comment further and said he was doing so on behalf of the family. The man also declined to give his name.

The girl died on Aug. 28 at All Children's Hospital, according to her obituary in an area newspaper.

The home day care provider, Stephanie M. Spurgeon, 37, was charged with one count of aggravated child abuse after the baby was found unresponsive Aug. 21. There is no indication the charge has been upgraded, and Spurgeon had not been booked into Pinellas County Jail again.

A family member picked up the baby from Spurgeon's home, 830 Edgehill Drive, on the afternoon of Aug. 21, sheriff's officials have said. The family said the child was alert and happy when dropped off and sluggish and sleepy when picked up, according to the sheriff's office.

Spurgeon, who is licensed, has operated a special-needs day care center at her home for years, according to WFLA, News Channel 8.

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