Toddler in shaken baby case diesToxicology tests might reveal why girl died 2 years after injury By Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 22, 2008
Provided/Nita Steen Patricia Steen (left) holds Jasmine Steen, and Patricia's husband, David Steen Jr., holds their toddler David Caleb Steen in July 2006. Jasmine was critically injured in early August 2006. Past storiesBaby's injuries a mystery, Published on 11/05/06 Parents of 7-week-old accused of shaking girl, Published on 08/17/06 LADSON — A toddler at the center of a shaken baby case two years ago has died in foster care, although the cause of her death might remain a mystery for some time, authorities said. Two-year-old Jasmine Lynn Steen had no outward sign of injuries when she died at a home in Ladson about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Berkeley County Coroner Glenn Rhoad said. Rhoad didn't expect to know how the child died for at least a few more weeks when toxicology results become available. An autopsy on Wednesday was inconclusive. Jasmine's parents were arrested on felony child abuse charges after the child arrived at a hospital as an infant with critical injuries two years ago. The then-7-week-old girl was unresponsive and had trouble breathing when her father rushed her to Trident Medical Center from the family's home on Jean Lane in Moncks Corner on Aug. 5, 2006, an incident report says. She was transferred to Medical University Hospital, where doctors learned she had massive bleeding in her skull. They told a deputy they didn't think she would survive. Days later, Berkeley County sheriff's detectives arrested her parents. The parents were accused of inflicting great bodily injury to a child, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. They were indicted on charges of a parent knowingly allowing another person to inflict great bodily injury on a child, punishable by up to five years in prison. The case against David Steen Jr., 23, and Patricia Steen, 18, has not gone to court, Julian Malasi, a spokesman for the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office, said on Thursday. Patricia Steen, 16 at the time of her arrest, was charged as an adult. As a result of the child's death, the solicitor's office "will review the fact and the circumstances surrounding the case along with the medical evidence to determine if additional charges are appropriate," said Solicitor Scarlett Wilson in a statement. In late 2006, Jasmine had survived the brain damage, but was being kept alive with a feeding tube. She and her older brother, David Caleb, now 3, were in foster care through the Department of Social Services until the case against the Steens could be concluded. David Caleb remains in foster care while the state looks for permanent arrangements for him, according to Virginia Williamson, general counsel for DSS. Because of Jasmine's extensive medical problems, DSS made special arrangements for her foster care and that's where she was at the time of her death, Williamson said. Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 47 comment(s)
Posted by 10216340 on August 22, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why the heck has it taken the solicitor's office all this time to bring this case to trial. For goodness sakes, those two have had plenty of time to breed more victims during the past two years.
This fact alone needs to be investigated. Also, if the state is looking for amore permanent home for the other child....what is taking so long. Don't they know how critical these first years are of a child's life. Get that couple tried and, if convicted, get the little boy adopted into a loving home.
Don't they realize they are ruining the little boys life.
To the Soliciter - Shame on you!!
Posted by DanniD on August 22, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone that hurts children, the elderly, or animals deserves to rot in hell. It is disgusting. How could you possibly hurt a little 7 week old baby? I have 3 children myself, and remember it could get frustrating when they cried and I didn't know why BUT, it never even occured to me to shake or hurt them!
Posted by Tammie on August 22, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Anyone that hurts children, the elderly, or animals deserves to rot in hell."
I couldn't have said that any better myself. I still can't fathom what a 7 week old defenseless baby did to warrant such an effed up reaction.
Posted by jaden on August 22, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Look at the mother's age and how old she would have been when the older child was born. Children can not handle the responsibilty of having children. Where were the mother's parents? Didn't these people care that their young teenage daughter was having sex with a guy that much older?
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on August 22, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Early, if you go back and read the articles on the Steen's from 2006, you'll realize that the baby had clear, undeniable evidence of Shaken Baby Syndrome. This child has been on an NG tube for the last two years because of the severity of her injuries. The father tried to say that the brother (keep in mind that child's age) had accidentally injured his sister, then said that his wife must've done something. He was the only parent to take his nearly unresponsive daughter to the hospital in 2006...where was the mother? Shaking in her shoes, as she knew she was probably going to be arrested at the hospital.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 22, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rot in Hell is right, but before they get there they need to spay & neuter the parents!! Reminds me of another story...and it reminds me of Neil Young...
"I see a woman in the night
With a baby in her hand
Under an old street light
Near a garbage can
Now she puts the kid away, and she's gone to get a hit
She hates her life, and what she's done to it
There's one more kid that will never go to school
Never get to fall in love, never get to be cool.
Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world
Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world."
Makes me sick...I say they need to be tortured!
There are too many dead baby stories this week...hell, one is too many!
Posted by sc4peace on August 22, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ok- how one earth does someone do this to their poor child? There is no excuse!- I feel awful for that little boy as well- he has no idea what it's like to be in a stable family- I'll take him! As for the parents- let's test out a new sterilization program....and lock them up together in a cell, with pics of their baby girl all over the wall and a video of her playing 24/7
Posted by Hutch on August 22, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jasmine is in the loving hands of her maker
forever. The Lord be praised. I hope The
Steens get a life sentence.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 22, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These children need to be yanked up by their heads and shaken until their eyeballs fall out. Seriously. No amount of crying can ever warrant someone to shake a 7 week old child. Poor baby never stood a chance.
I firmly believe in mandatory sterilization for fools like these.
Posted by MissPriss on August 22, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This makes me sick!
The parents should definitely rot in hell.
I'll take the little boy!
Posted by ashleyatwork on August 22, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully they have not tried this case because they suspected the baby might die and wanted to try them for the harsher crime of homicide by child abuse and not get into any double jeopoardy thing. Please tell me these 2 idiots have not procreated in the last 2 years! Now Scarlett GET TO WORK ON THIS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by common_sense on August 22, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wanted my baby stirred, not shaken! Darn bartenders!
I'm just sayin...
Posted by ifyousayso on August 22, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People make me sick!!!!!! That poor baby girl!
Posted by amholsclaw on August 22, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
coldbeer you are done..
Posted by luvmydogs59 on August 22, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by Tammie on August 22, 2008 at 7:52 a.m.
"Anyone that hurts children, the elderly, or animals deserves to rot in hell."
I couldn't have said that any better myself. I still can't fathom what a 7 week old defenseless baby did to warrant such an effed up reaction.
Agreed 100%...all of us who are good, decent parents would never even think of doing something as heinous as this!! When my kids were little and they acted up, as little kids are prone to do...they were given a time out and a talking to. Never would I have thought, even in my wildest dreams, of ever hurting them!! I hope these so-called "parents" get the book thrown at them and that their son can be put in a safe, loving situation with caring people.
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 22, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
COMMAN SENCE-there you are again making stupid disrespectful remarks.WHY do you find JOY in taking advantage of terrible situations and TRYING to make jokes about it!You are a terrible person.My heart aches for both of these little children and now this little boy will have no one.Come up with a joke about that,why don't you? I wish I could have him.Both of these idiots need to be turned upside down on a carnival ride and shaken like that baby was.These two will never go to trial,with what you people voted into office.I hope someone will take this little boy and give him the love he deserves.I also hope that you comman sence will some how learn to be a little respectful,but I doubt it.Rest in peace little Jasmine!And for you Scarlet Wilson do your job for once!
Posted by Brutus1 on August 22, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sterilization my azz. A good 50 cent bullet to the head of those two will do the trick.
Posted by Brutus1 on August 22, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry I shouldnt have said that.
Posted by MCornerGirl on August 22, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Words can not describe what I would like to do with those two pieces of garbage....and that poor little boy, what kind of life will he have?
By the way, if that b*tch was 16 when Jasmine was born, she had to be around 14 when her son was born, and that would have made her boyfriend about 21 when she was 14, umm, isn't that statutory rape, I mean she was basically a child herself when he "molested" her? When will people realize the seriousness of young, uneducated, piece of sh*t mothers and fathers?
Posted by Brutus1 on August 23, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What I was meaning was. If those two are found guilty of killing that baby. Give them the death penalty.
Posted by moonpie on August 23, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another reason kids shouldn't be having kids. They're ill equipped to handle even the simpliest way a baby communicates to the adult that something is wrong, either diapers wet, i'm hungry, irretable, sick what ever. Unbelievable! Take the kids and spay and neuter the white trash!
Posted by deblmw on August 23, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have inside info on this young couple. The girl has been arrested for abusing the husband. He must be a weak young man to allow such things to happen. I feel sorry for him. She will not even let him take a phone call. She is very insecure and controlling.
The day he took baby Jasmine to the hospital, she wouldn't even watch their son...he had to take both children to the hospital while she stayed at home. He would work all day, come home and she would then leave him to go party with her friends. She hit him with a frying pan over the head after he had worked all day. This girl has some major problems and HE should stand up for himself.
Posted by mwellsy on August 23, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If she already has a record of abuse AND did not take the child to the hospital nor watch their other child while the father took Jasmine to the hospital...then why is she still walking free???? Domestic abuse from the wife is less common but does happen. This young man needs to stand up for himself. She will undoubtedly try to blame this on him...and him being older he should be wiser.
May the truth come out and the guilty person be charged.
Were the parents at the funeral of this precious angel???
Posted by deblmw on August 23, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, the father was at the funeral. But the mother was not. The father was obviously distraught and caressed and kissed his daughter.
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 23, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are the grandparents in the piture? From reading what posters are saying,it's looking like this mother(if one can call her that)has some issues and if she has abused the father of little Jasmine then that pretty much sums it up in my book.Why would a decent woman not want to go to the hospital with her own little child knowing she may not be coming back.And please God forgive her for not attending her funeral.Has the boy ever shown any signs of abuse?Hopefully the truth will come out,but if the father is as week as it appears he may cover for her. Just my thoughts.
Posted by deblmw on August 23, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The grandmother (mother of David the father) drove all night as soon as she found out to make it to Charleston for the funeral.Also with her were her daughter (Jasmines' Aunt) and her mother (Jasmines' great grandmother), they all attended the funeral and have been in touch with the foster system and have been able to visit Jasmine in the past.
I do not think the parents of the mother of Jasmine were present.
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 23, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks deblmw for that info.I feel sorry for the grandparents that are involed.More and more I am thinking there is serious disfunction in this girls life and I hope I am not judging too quickly.If she is at fault,I hope she pays dearly for her actions as for the father if that would be the case. But I am wondering WHY has it taken so long,and WHY is Scarlet Wilson draging her feet on this case-guess she's been too busy posing for the PnC(referring to her debut in the PnC last week!)Why has the truth not come out yet about who did this to this precious child?That could'nt be that hard.One other thing I am wondering is why the grandparents of either side not step in and get these children instead of a stranger having to care for them? I do know that if a grandparent is willing, children in this type of situation is often given to a family member who is willing to cae for them.I am a grandparent and hell or high water would not keep me from taking my grandchild.That's the greatest love in the world!!!!!!!!And the GREATIST JOY.!!!!!!
Posted by fr0sty on August 23, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too know the father in this case, and I can tell you he was at work when this happened. That, along with the fact that he was the only one of them to bother to attend the funeral (sickening...) or even take her to the hospital to tend to her wounds is all the proof I need to know the guilty party in this case. While he has made some poor decisions (such as staying with her despite the abuse), he is in no way a murderer like she is.
Also, to those wondering why it has taken so long to prosecute, I would imagine it has something to do with them wanting to wait and see what became of Jasmine in order to determine the right charges to be filed, but I'm not certain about that. I would imagine they both may face murder charges now, which is saddening knowing he had nothing to do with it.
Posted by deblmw on August 23, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I stand corrected...Jasmine's mother WAS at the funeral today. And she had people with her, maybe the grandparents from her side...I don't know.
Yes, and I agree...the grandparents should and HAVE stepped in. There was another article where they interviewed Nita Steen (paternal grandmother) and she said that she was trying to get custody. I don't think the state is allowing anything to be done until after the trial, and they were waiting on the death of Jasmine (which was inevitable, sadly)
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 23, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the grandmother can get custody.I don't think the parents of that girl should have any type of custody,because what kind of parent would allow a 16 year old to live with a man anyway,especially one that much older.There are laws!!!!!!!I just hope that this little boy's life is not forever screwed up because of messed up parents.He deserves so much more.I wish I could take him an d love him.There has not been any mention of drugs,maybe that is why the mother did not go to the hospital with her child
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 23, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just re-read this article,I still don't get why neither side of the families were not allowed to have these children!Say what you want but there is a reason.Looking at that photo is so sad.They were nothing but children themselves-so so sad.
Posted by deblmw on August 24, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard thru the grapevine that Patricia's mother is an addict...I don't know about her father.
David's father had a car accident and is unable to care for a child, his mother has a job that requires her to travel..but she does want custody. It would be nice for the boy to be with his own family...I'm sure he has aunts and uncles and cousins that would love to see him. David's family lives in Florida and Alabama.
Posted by candicewilliams96yahoo on August 25, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am the sister of patricia steen i have a couple things to say im guessing deblmw is nita steen davids mother just by the comments your making well at least your right about one thing yes my parents are at fult for letting thm see each other when patricia was 14 but no one chooses who there parents are. My sister along w my mother grandparents and other friends and family members were at the funeral yeserday. Davids mother sister and grandmother were there david showed up last 15 mins i called him during funeral he said he wasnt coming then i told him he at least needed tom come show his respect to jasmine and apoligize to her he at least owed her that. As far as custody goes w lil david right now he is in a loving caring home with a great woman whos taking good care of him no need to worry. Nita steen nor davids father will be able to get custody bc they dropped of David himself as a child to epwards children home. Davids father couldnt take care of the child bc of an accident which involed drinking and driving. Custody will not be an issue until trial is over. David has already openly admitted to dropping jasmine in a bathtub but her injuries arent consisitant w that if it was an accident why didnt he tell anyone until 48 hrs later after he took her to hospitaland fabricated a different story. My niece is in heaven with our lord doing all the things she could not do before and now actually enjoying her life. You will soon all see the truth when it comes out in court. any questions feel free to email me thanks and god bless to everyone in donations to jasmine or many other medical fragile children please donate to musc childrens hospital
Posted by deblmw on August 25, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry you are wrong, I am not Nita Steen. My name is Debbie.
I am sorry for your loss and yes, Jasmine is in heaven with our Lord enjoying herself.
Posted by mwellsy on August 25, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow,it is obvious that this story has affected a lot of people. It is very sad when a child dies, especially from child abuse.
My thoughts: I am sure that whichever parent did this to the child did not intentionally hurt the child but lost control and it was too late. It is a very sad situation. Children having children.
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 25, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't be so quick to judge David my dear. I know someone who used to live by them on Jean Lane!!!!!!!!!I do not know either party but after reading your post,I find you are attacking the boy's family with a vengence.You are Patricia's sister,right?So WHY has'nt your family gotten custody of little David? In normal situations as this one a family member is the first choice,There is a reason.Unless there is a reason why, they would have let a family member have the child because just taking a small baby from his parents would be tramatizing to the child.As for David admitting dropping the baby,that would not cause "shaken baby syndrome" and I heard he was at work when it happened.Like I said I do not know either one,But if you wan't to play house then own up to your failures-because SOMEONE failed these two precious children.If what you say about David's parents giving him up when he was little,maybe they saw they were not capable of parenting.If stress caused whoever is at fault maybe that would have been a wise choice for them also.I am happy that little Jasmine no longer has to suffer for the sins of her parents,she was a beautiful little baby.I hope that little David will grow up and have a happy healthy life!And I do not believe in my heart that either one of these children did this intentionally-but CHILDREN should not have children until they are adults themselves.Some where along the line this girl's parents should have stepped in,at least after a first child was born to a young girl of 14.I said this in a previous post and will say it again-THERE ARE LAWS!
Posted by candicewilliams96yahoo on August 25, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They did not live at jean lane but for less than two weeks so whoever you talked doesnt even know them. Also about david being at work when it happened im sooooo glad my cousin had her child that day and patricia took her so she is accounted for ALL DAY LONG and she had jasmine and lil david with her inside the hospital she took her to. The court has stated they are not releasing custody to anyone until they go to trial.
Posted by candicewilliams96yahoo on August 25, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Attn. fr0sty you obviously dont know about the abuse to patricia from david. What is (sickening) is that david didnt even show up until last 15 min im assuming he must have felt guilty is why he didnt show. Obviously if you knew david why werent you ther to support him during the funeral bc u would have plainly seen my sister was the first one there and then you switch up your statement saying one time she wasnt there and another she was make up your mind.
Posted by southerngirl45 on August 25, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Candice my dear you make no sence at all!
Posted by candicewilliams96yahoo on August 25, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What makes no sense at all is people like you who dont even know them and are making false statements. I guess you also didnt know about david running from detectives for three days either, while my sister was taking care of lil david. I guess he must have been shaking in his boots!
Posted by mwellsy on August 25, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure there are 2 sides to every story. I heard that he left WITH the boy before Patricia was pregnant with Jasmine. He was trying to get away from her after she was arrested for domestic abuse. DSS made him come back to the state so they could take custody of the boy and make the 2 attend parenting classes. After the parenting classes they placed the boy back at home.
Posted by fr0sty on August 25, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Attn. fr0sty you obviously dont know about the abuse to patricia from david."
Is said abuse documented? Has David ever been put in jail for said abuse? Or is it just he said she said? I know in the case of Patricia abusing David, she actually was arrested. I've heard nothing of David being arrested. If no such legal complaint has been filed against him, I will not buy your claim.
As for why I wasn't there to support David, I didn't find out about the death until the last minute, which left no time to get time off work so I could attend.
Posted by candicewilliams96yahoo on August 25, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes his abuse against her is documented at hanahan police dept, and was also after the other incident in which David choked patricia (which is in plain sight in the photo they took of her) and he had a small mark on his arm. Also if you read the report about it you would know patricia is the one who dialed 911.
Posted by mwellsy on August 25, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe you need to read the report...when they got there they arrested HER. Yes, she called 911 when he finally had enough and tried to fight back and that obviously startled her since she was used to wearing the pants in the family and controlling him, but they arrested HER not him for OBVIOUS abuse marks on him.
Posted by candicewilliams96yahoo on August 26, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You obviously dont know david or patricia or anyone else they know bc u would know david and all about the 2 and 1/2 years he spent in jail for robbery and lots of other violent crimes he got out 3 months b4 my sister got with him.Patricia had never been aressted, and you think you know david so well he is still to this day begging my sister for forgiveness, and in his police statement after he ran for 3 days he said that he hurt the baby and he knew patricia loved her children and would never do anything to hurt them, not to mention she was accounted for and never at home by herself w the baby like david was. David wouldnt even let patricia wear what clothes she wanted or even talk to her family on more than 3 occasions ive had to pick patricia up crying saying david kicked her and her children out
Posted by jldm on August 26, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I dont know david or patricia but i know alot about this case, they have both had abuse charges agianst each other. I know for a fact that david did run for three days and dropped patricia off that night to walk to the detectives office, i also know that they didnt and werent planning on arresting her or taking the other child from her. She had him during those three days if they really thought she did something they would have taken the other child that day but they didnt until after david turned hisself in and made up whatever against her because he was scared of going back to jail after recently spending almost three years there. Why did david run if he had nothing to hide? If patricia had something to hide why didnt she go with him?
Posted by Presiousgem1 on August 26, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's really sad in this day and age when people are more worried about pointing fingers then the death of this infant. Why is Patricia sister on here defending her if she is innocent? Why is everyone speaking so sweetly of David? Both Patricia and David were to protect and love this child unconditionally from birth to adulthood which obviously they didn't! They both failed Jasmine. There are always two sides to every story and the only two who actually know the truth are Patricia and David themselves. We can make excuses up for them and we can say they where with others, but god knows the real truth.