06/16/1999
Olson, Dave
By Dave Olson
A Moorhead woman faces assault charges in Clay County District Court of
shaking and dropping an infant left in her care.
Brenda J. Rousseau, 30, 408 Elm St. S., is charged with first-degree assault,
third-degree assault and child endangerment.
According to a court complaint, Moorhead police were called to Rousseau's
residence June 8. Rousseau, a day-care provider, told officers that a
7-month-old girl in her care had been sick and running a fever. Upon arrival,
ambulance workers noticed the child was having difficulty breathing, had a
fixed gaze and was vomiting.
Detectives later interviewed two doctors who said the girl showed signs of
having been shaken. X-rays revealed a fractured skull.
When interviewed, Rousseau first told detectives that the child became sick
after being fed.
The complaint said when Rousseau was confronted with the medical information
she admitted that she had just "snapped" and picked the baby up from
a chair
and shook her. Rousseau told police that once she realized she had hurt the
baby she panicked and dropped the child on her head.
The complaint said the baby has significant neurological trauma and possibly
has paralysis on her right side.
A warrant was issued Tuesday for Rousseau's arrest.