Criminal Defense — Child Abuse
Colorado Felony Child Abuse Defense Attorney
Felony child abuse and shaken baby charges require a lawyer who knows the science, challenges the experts, and is not intimidated by prosecution doctors who make exaggerated or even false claims about the evidence. Call Jason Savela for a free consultation.
You Went to the ER to Help Your Child. Now You Are Being Investigated.
You are concerned about your child's health — lethargic, in pain after a fall. You go to the emergency room and explain what happened. Maybe you saw it. Maybe it happened when you were out of the room for a moment. All you know is your child is injured and you want help. Then the nurse looks at you differently. The doctor's demeanor changes. A police officer or social worker arrives to ask more questions. Everyone asks you to tell the story again and again. They want to know who else has been with the child in the last hours, days, and weeks. They run tests. Are these people more interested in helping your child — or investigating you?
If you are being investigated — do this immediately
- Politely refuse to speak to police, social workers, or hospital staff about the circumstances of the injury.
- Say only: "I want a lawyer" — and nothing else.
- Do not give recorded statements or consent to searches without a warrant.
- Do not try to explain what happened. Anything you say can only hurt you.
- Call an attorney before your next conversation with any investigator.
The Problem: They Assume a Crime Was Committed
Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and it deserves proper attention by legal authorities. But proper attention requires proper investigation — using science fairly and fully, without bias. The prevalent bias starts with the belief that the child has been abused and focuses on finding a perpetrator. Even when you did nothing wrong. They say the X-rays show this must be abuse. And the abuse is recent. And that you were the only person with the child in that time. They want you to explain it. And maybe you try — possibly offering a few guesses that they will later say prove you lied. The truth is that the X-rays could show something entirely different that the examining doctor does not know. Most doctors do not have sufficient experience with X-rays of child injury and the many ways the evidence points to an innocent explanation. A qualified, open-minded radiologist can show that the same X-rays prove innocence. But you will never get there if your lawyer assumes the police and prosecution know the truth.
Shaken Baby Syndrome: The Science Has Moved On
Not all cases presenting the so-called triad of Shaken Baby Syndrome symptoms are shaken baby. The science has progressed faster than the law — and much faster than those who make their money and reputation off of outdated, unfounded theories of abuse. The triad — subdural hematoma, retinal hemorrhage, and brain swelling — was once considered definitive proof of shaking. It is not. Medical literature has increasingly recognized that these findings can result from short falls, birth trauma, medical conditions, and other causes. If someone is saying you shook a baby and you did not, you need a lawyer who will listen to you and help you show the prosecution is wrong.
The "Triad" — and Why It Is Not Proof
Subdural hematoma
Bleeding between the brain and skull — once considered proof of violent shaking, now recognized as having multiple possible causes including short falls and birth trauma.
Retinal hemorrhage
Bleeding in the retina — part of the traditional triad, but medical literature has documented this finding in accidental injuries, medical conditions, and resuscitation efforts.
Brain swelling (cerebral edema)
Swelling of the brain — the third element of the triad, which can result from hypoxia, infection, metabolic disorders, and other non-abusive causes.
How Jason Defends These Cases
Independent Expert Review
Prosecution doctors — including those from the Kempe Center — are not neutral. Jason works with qualified, open-minded radiologists and medical experts who will review the evidence without bias and identify innocent explanations the prosecution's experts ignored or suppressed.
Challenging the Science
The shaken baby triad is not settled science. Jason knows the medical literature and will challenge prosecution experts who rely on outdated theories. Courts have increasingly recognized that the science underlying SBS convictions is contested.
Listening to You
The most important thing Jason does is listen. You know what happened. He will help you tell that story in a way that exposes the prosecution's assumptions and shows the jury the truth.
Investigating Every Alternative Cause
Short falls, prior undetected injuries, birth trauma, medical conditions, and accidental causes are all legitimate explanations that prosecution doctors routinely dismiss. A thorough defense investigates every one of them.
Protecting You From the Start
If you are accused or might be accused of child abuse, politely refuse to speak to the police. Say only: 'I want a lawyer.' No matter how much you want to explain what happened, anything you say can only hurt you. There is nothing you can tell the police today that you cannot tell them tomorrow after talking with a lawyer.
20+ Years of Colorado Experience
Jason has experience defending child abuse charges in state courts throughout Colorado, including Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, Brighton, Adams, Jefferson, Golden, Denver, Loveland, Greeley, Gilpin, Larimer, Weld, and Fort Collins.
The Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now
If you are accused or might be accused of child abuse or any crime, politely refuse to speak to the police about it. Just say: "I want a lawyer" — and nothing else. No matter what happened or what you want to tell them, they cannot help you. You may feel that if you could only explain what happened they might not arrest you. It will not change anything. Their goal is to gather evidence to convict you, and anything you say can only hurt you.
Their goal is to gather evidence to convict you. Anything you say can only hurt you — even an honest explanation.
"There is nothing you can tell the police today that you cannot tell them tomorrow after talking with a lawyer."
— Jason Savela, The Savela Law Firm, P.C.
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Accused of Child Abuse in Colorado?
These cases move fast and the system is not on your side. Prosecution doctors, police, and social workers are all working toward the same conclusion before the investigation is complete. You need a lawyer who knows the science, challenges the experts, and will listen to your side of the story. Call Jason Savela today for a free consultation.
Call (720) 821-1001