US man facing death penalty in Shaken Baby Syndrome case. Here's all you need to know

Robert Roberson, 57, from Texas is set to be executed in connection with a Shaken Baby Syndrome case, marking the first time someone in the US faces the death penalty for a conviction related to this diagnosis.

Roberson, convicted in 2003, is scheduled for lethal injection on Thursday for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.

Roberson has though claimed innocence. His lawyers, Texas lawmakers, as well as medical experts have argued that the conviction was based on flawed scientific evidence. They have claimed that Nikki's death was due to undiagnosed pneumonia and that Roberson's undiagnosed autism caused authorities to misread his behavior as guilt.


However, despite the new evidence suggesting medication and untreated illness as the cause of death, the courts have dismissed his appeals.

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Abusive head trauma, formerly known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, is a serious brain injury caused when a child's head is violently shaken or hit. Dr Suzanne Haney, a child abuse pediatrician, states the term changed in 2009 to cover all forms of abusive head trauma. The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome reports around 1,300 cases yearly in the US.

Critics argue the diagnosis is sometimes applied too broadly, particularly with a 'triad' of symptoms: brain bleeding, brain swelling, and eye hemorrhaging. They contend this may lead doctors to overlook other causes such as falls or natural illnesses, resulting in wrongful convictions. Supporters like Haney maintain that the diagnosis is scientifically valid and crucial for identifying child abuse.

Some US courts have overturned convictions related to Shaken Baby Syndrome due to new medical research, but most convictions remain. According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, 97% of related convictions between 2008 and 2018 have been upheld. Roberson's case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of this diagnosis in forensic science.