By Jeremy Walsh
A Glendale nanny faces up to 25 years in prison after being convicted of shaking a baby under her care two years ago, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Friday.
Alma Calderaro, 35, was found guilty of assault and endangering the welfare of a child after a five−week jury trial, the DA said. Her sentencing was set for March 20, at which point she faces a maximum sentence of 25 years behind bars, Brown said.
On Jan. 11, 2006, Calderaro took 7−month−old Fiona Qirjako to the emergency room at St. John’s Queens Hospital. The infant was unresponsive and having difficulty breathing. After Fiona was transferred to Long Island Jewish Hospital later that night, medical personnel observed bleeding in her brain and eyes and extensive brain damage.
The injuries were consistent with the non−accidental inflicted trauma of Shaken Baby Syndrome, which occurs when a baby is repeatedly and violently shaken, Brown said. At the trial, Fiona’s parents testified that their daughter was in perfect health when she was dropped off at Calderaro’s home, the DA said.
Calderaro testified that the baby was gasping for air and that she shook Fiona in order to revive her, but medical experts testified that her account of how the baby was injured was inconsistent with the nature and severity of the injuries she suffered, Brown said.
The child, who is now almost 4, has permanent brain damage.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e−mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 154.
