The recession may be provoking an increase in the deadliest form of child abuse, according to a study that finds that the rate of shaken baby syndrome has nearly doubled since the economy collapsed.

Abusive head trauma, as shaken baby syndrome is formally known, often leads to permanent brain damage or paralysis.

A 72-year-old foster parent has been charged with abusing an 8-year-old boy.

Salisbury Police charged Annie Mae Price of 1520 Statesville Boulevard with misdemeanor child abuse following an investigation requested by the Rowan County Department of Social Services.

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS (WABC) — In the neighborhoods of Morningside Heights and the Upper West Side where 23-year-old Richard Figueroa worked closely with small children, the charges sent a shiver.

“Horror basically. That’s the ultimate violation of trust,” Noel Holton-Brathwaite said.

HOUGHTON – A Hancock teenager was arraigned for third-degree child abuse against his 4-week old son in 97th District Court Monday.

Michael Hilton, 17, was charged with third-degree child abuse, a two-year felony, and fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor.

Santa Maria police arrest a Santa Maria man on child sexual abuse charges.

Police say they began investigating 30-year old Fabian Flores back in January for the reported molestation of a young child.

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Detectives in Okeechobee said a 2-year-old suffering from shaken baby syndrome was abused by her mother’s live-in boyfriend, and the mother did nothing about it.

Deputy Sarah Green went to the home in the 200 block of North Highway 98 for a welfare check on a child on April 21.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Child abuse detectives from the Portland Police Bureau fear a 78-year-old man arrested earlier this month may have more victims.

Richard Westfall, a registered sex offender, was taken into custody April 14 after a grand jury indicted him on a first-degree sex abuse charge.

Child Abuse Skyrocketed During This Recession

According to a multi-center study led by Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the number of cases of abusive head trauma, formerly known as “shaken baby syndrome,” increased signficantly since the beginning of the recession.

EDGEWOOD, WA — A father is dead and four armed robbery suspects are on the loose after a violent attack that started with a Craigslist ad.

According to Detective Ed Troyer, three men and a woman arrived at a home on 106th Avenue Court East late Wednesday night.

Texas–A 29-year-old Richwood woman has been jailed on a $125,000 bond after she allegedly sent an undercover detective more than 100 pictures of children engaged in sexual activity.

The suspect, Carrie Louise Kelly, was taken into custody on Thursday after police confiscated several computers, DVDs and pictures the previous night.

Cleveland, OH – The 15-year-old boy just couldn’t stand to see his brother being abused any longer, so he decided to do something about it. “My little brother is downstairs tied up to a table and he’s trying to get out,” said the young caller to a 911 dispatcher. “Who did this to him?” asked […]

SANFORD — An Altamonte Springs husband and wife accused of sexually abusing a young girl and videotaping it are going to prison.

Paul and Virginia Crowley pleaded no contest Wednesday to six sex crimes each. In exchange, they were ordered to prison for 25 years.

HURRICANE, Washington County — Hurricane police are seeking information regarding a child rape case that may span two counties.

Brady Heber Aiken, 26, was arrested Thursday for investigation of rape of a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child after he came to police and told them he wanted to talk, Hurricane police spokeswoman Nancy Perkins said. Officers interviewed Aiken and then booked him into the Washington County Jail.

CARRBORO — A father remains jailed on a child-abuse charge after police say he permanently blinded his 1-year-old daughter in an assault.

Christopher Ray McBride, 28, is being held on $500,000 bail, increased from an initial $125,000.