RIP Baby Brianna.
I logged into facebook like I usually do and noticed I had new messages. My eyes automatically looked to the subject that read: very important. The message was sent by a friend (won't give her name) and it was a message requesting me to write a blog post about child abuse. I thought, "It's a good cause, and I'm all about spreading awareness where needed". She sent me a link to a video and for days I put it off. Not because I didn't want to write about it, or watch it, I was just busy and when I had a free momentI guess I was just lazy!
Today, I finally got to it and committed myself to watching the video and let me tell you, I am very glad I did.
This, is Brianna Lopez. She passed away when she was only 5 months due to child abuse from her mother,father and uncle.
Unfortunately, this is not a picture of her sleeping. This is a photoshopped version of her autopsy picture where all of her bruises were erased and removed to honor her memory. Her family not once, took a picture of her in the 5 months of her existence...
excerpt from tribute page:
On July 19, 2002, Baby was taken to the emergency room where she died. The cause of death was cranial cerebral injuries due to the fact that she was a battered baby. She had bruising all over her head and ears and human bite marks on her face, neck, and body. A blunt force injury to Baby's head in the last three days or less resulted in a large subdural hematoma on her brain. X-rays revealed Baby's skull was fractured in two places, on two different bones, and that the fractures were 5-7 days old. Old blood was found during brain tissue examination, which meant that Baby had received a separate brain injury in the past. Baby's optical nerves were filled with both fresh and old blood, which meant that she had been violently shaken on at least two occasions. X-rays of Baby's torso revealed two broken ribs that were broken several weeks before her death. Baby also had recent bucket-handle fractures of her thighs and one of her arms. This type of fracture results from the limbs being forcefully twisted or yanked causing the growth plate to be separated from the bone, thus resembling the profile of a bucket handle being lifted from its horizontal position.
In addition, Baby's anus and vagina were both injured. Baby had a significant abrasion on her buttocks which went all the way into the buttocks which was consistent with sexual assault. Immediately after Baby was pronounced dead, a nurse observed that her anus gaped open with no muscle tone. At autopsy, the anal opening was dilated to a full inch. Internal examination showed an injury a half-inch to an inch inside the anal opening and vaginal injuries inside the labia minora, including three small injuries to the hymen.
In other words, Brianna was not only physically abused but also sexually abused. What shocked me so much was that Brianna's grandmother and a second uncle knew about the abuse and did nothing. This story made a big impact on me and makes me so sad and angry that there's people out there that would do this to someone.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you speak up for those who can't and if you suspect any form or type of abuse going on, please say something. Just by speaking up, you can save someone's life. It is NOT OK for ANYONE to abuse ANYONE.
Here are the pictures of Brianna's mother; Stephanie Lopez, her father; Andrew Walters and her uncle; Steven Lopez who are all currently serving their time in prison.
Here is the video that she shared with me that shares this horrible story and explains the new law that was passed in New Mexico due to this tragedy.
Warning: It contains pictures that are very graphic and not suitable for everyone.
If you want more information, please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46040537919
As a last plead, please if you know anyone going through child,physical,sexual or any other kind of abuse please speak up.
