Media Release
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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.” |
