A tragic incident unfolded in Kentucky when 23-year-old Del'Shawn Banks allegedly killed his 7-week-old daughter, Del'Luna Banks, by shaking and throwing her to the ground. The baby was taken to a pediatrician's office for treatment of her injuries, but upon seeing the severity of the injuries, staff contacted the police. The child was unresponsive and rushed to Norton Children's Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed that the baby's injuries were consistent with the actions described by Banks, and the medical examiner ruled it a homicide.
Banks admitted to the police that he had shaken and thrown the baby. He was subsequently charged with murder-domestic violence, and a $250,000 cash bond was set during his arraignment. It was revealed that Banks had allegedly harmed the baby before, and her mother, Cortney Jones, hinted at a troubled relationship with him. Tragically, Jones was in the hospital herself due to delivery complications when she received the call that her baby was unresponsive.
Jones expressed her disgust and grief over the loss of her daughter, referring to her as her "rainbow baby" and lamenting the brevity of their time together. She questioned how someone could harm their own child, a part of themselves. Although Jones and Banks had broken up prior to the incident, she regrets not leaving sooner and warns other mothers to escape abusive situations before it's too late.
Jones acknowledged the difficulty of leaving an abuser and stressed the importance of seeking help and support from organizations such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, local domestic violence hotlines, shelters, legal aid societies, or churches. She emphasized the need to take action early and not be swayed by false promises of change from the abuser.
Jones's story highlights the tragic outcome that can result from domestic violence and the urgency of providing resources and support to victims. It serves as a reminder that leaving an abusive relationship is challenging and requires immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of oneself and any children involved.
