Media Release


COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
COUNTY LEGISLATURE

KATE BROWNING                                                                                                          2 Coraci Blvd., Suite 7
County Legislator, 3rd District                                                                                        Shirley, NY 11967
Labor, Workforce, and Affordable Housing, Chair                                                          (631) 852-1300
                                                                                                           Fax: (631) 852-1303

Media Release                                                                                                               Contact: Joshua Slaughter
April 16, 2008                                                                                                                631-852-1300
                                                                                                          631-456-1718

BROWNING SHEDS LIGHT ON HORRORS OF CHILD ABUSE
Clears Way for Use of County Park for Two Events & Designates April as Child Abuse Awareness Month; Events
Benefit Baby Evelynn and Child Abuse Organizations

Shirley, NY – Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) drafted and secured passage of legislation that designates
April as Child Abuse/Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Month in Suffolk County and will allow the use of County
parks for fund-raisers to benefit Baby Evelynn of Mastic and other child abuse organizations.
There is a great need to educate people about just how much abuse still occurs each year to the most vulnerable
children. Approximately 1,200 to 1,400 children were hospitalized last year in the United States for the treatment of
shaken baby syndrome. Approximately 25% of those children die as a result of their injuries, and the remaining
75% suffer extensive neurological damage and are changed forever.
Evelynn Marie Biondo is one of these victims, who at only 10 weeks old allegedly was brutally attacked by her
father, Joshua Cohen. Evelynn allegedly was elbowed off Cohen’s bed when she interrupted his nap. Evelynn
began to cry, which allegedly prompted Cohen to kick her five times in the head, and then pick her up and shake
her for thirty seconds. Evelynn spent the next 13 days fighting for her life, and despite doctors’ grim predictions,
she survived.
However, Evelynn’s fight was not over. It was discovered that Evelynn’s vision was severely compromised because
of retinal hemorrhages and extensive trauma to her brain. Evelynn’s optometrist recently concluded that baby
Evelynn will probably never see again. After two surgeries and two permanent shunts being place in her skull, it is
evident that Evelynn will be suffering from seizures for the rest of her life. Nonetheless, she has just celebrated her
first birthday and her family is very proud.      
“We all learned a valuable lesson from the abuse inflicted on Evelynn,” said Legislator Browning. “Infants are the
most vulnerable victims of abuse, and we need to educate everyone that child and infant abuse affects thousands
of families a year. The Biondo family will never be the same, but they have taken a terrible event and turned it into
something good. I am proud to be a part of their efforts to raise awareness of child abuse so other families won’t
have to live through a similar tragedy.”  
-more-


Browning Sheds Light on Horrors Of Child Abuse                                                                     Page 2


Evelynn’s grandfather, Anthony Biondo, has been hard at work to raise awareness about child abuse since his
granddaughter suffered this terrible fate. Anthony has organized two events that will educate others about child
abuse, raise monies for baby Evelynn’s medical expenses, and also raise money for various child abuse
organizations. Legislator Browning cleared the way for these two events by sponsoring and gaining passage of
resolutions authorizing the use of Southaven Park for the two events.
Southaven Park will be the site of the 1st Annual Walk with Evelynn for Child Abuse Awareness, a 5K Race/Walk,
on April 27. All are welcome and registration will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Southaven will also be the site of the 1st
Annual Evelynntopia: A Free Child Abuse Awareness Event and Concert to be held on June 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.
m. (Rain date is Sunday, June 29.) Seven bands will be performing for free and there will be a Chinese auction,
games, clowns, magicians, vendors, and special guests. Please log onto www.evelynnmariebiondo.com for further
details.
“It has been the worst 10 months of my life. I used to wish I would just wake up from this nightmare and it would all
go away, I realize now that it never will,” said Anthony Biondo. “We as a community need to do something to help
save the thousands of children that are at risk of becoming just like Evelynn or perhaps even worse. Child abuse is
all around us. We hear about it too often. Many times we don't hear anything at all. It is up to each and every one
of us to resolve the child abuse epidemic once and for all.”
“We believe it is through education, awareness and tougher laws that we can bring help and hope to those
innocent children who are at risk everyday. This is where our efforts lie,” continued Biondo. “We urge the Long
Island community to join Legislator Kate Browning, baby Evelynn, our family and friends new and old, in supporting
our efforts to wipe out child abuse forever.”
Intro. Res. No. 1061-2008                                                                             Laid on Table 2/5/2008

Introduced by Legislators Browning and Cooper



RESOLUTION NO.        -2008, DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS “CHILD ABUSE/SHAKEN BABY
SYNDROME MONTH” IN SUFFOLK COUNTY



WHEREAS, new parents often experience stress, exhaustion and irritability; and



WHEREAS, some parents and caretakers become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of child rearing, which can
cause a parent to lose control when their baby will not stop crying; and



WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome is inflicted head trauma, a form of child abuse caused by direct blows to the
head, dropping or throwing a child, or simply shaking a child which can cause brain damage, seizures, blindness,
paralysis and even death; and



WHEREAS, Approximately 1,200 to 1,400 children were hospitalized last year in the United States for the treatment
of Shaken Baby Syndrome.  Approximately 25% of those children die as a result of their injuries, and the
remainder suffer extensive neurological damage and are changed forever; and



WHEREAS, parents and caretakers need to be made aware of the dangers associated with shaking a baby and
educated in methods to alleviate stress while trying to quiet a crying baby; and



WHEREAS, the Suffolk County Legislature wishes to make parents and all Suffolk County residents aware of the
dangers of shaking a baby and the options available to help prevent the occurrence of Shaken Baby Syndrome;
now, therefore be it



1st                   RESOLVED, that beginning in 2008 and continuing every year thereafter, the month of April shall
be designated as “Child Abuse/Shaken Baby Syndrome Month” in Suffolk County; and be it further



2nd                  RESOLVED, that this Legislature, being the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) lead
agency, hereby finds and determines that this resolution constitutes a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)
(20), (21) and (27) of Title 6 of the NEW YORK CODE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS (6 NYCRR) and within the
meaning of Section 8-0109(2) of the NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW as a promulgation of
regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and legislative decisions in connection with continuing agency
administration, management and information collection, and the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) is hereby directed to circulate any appropriate SEQRA notices of determination of non-applicability or non-
significance in accordance with this resolution.



DATED:



APPROVED BY:





____________________________

County Executive of Suffolk County



Date:
Below are links to articles about Evelynn's Story as written by newspapers, radio stations,
and news channels. Please click the link to read.

7Online-WABCTV Artcile 6/25/07
NY Post June 26th, 2007
Daily News 7/17/07
Newsday March 3rd, 2009
Newsday April 20th, 2009
1010 Wins