Experts testify in Horry County child abuse case Watch Video Read Comments
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Opening statements were delivered Tuesday morning in the trial of an Ohio man accused of killing his 5 week old daughter.
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By Continuous News Desk
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:24 a.m.

Read more: Local, Crime, Opening Statements, Child Abuse, Trial, Miles Ferguson

Expert testimony began Tuesday in the trial of an Ohio man accused of shaking his 5-week-old baby daughter to death.

After opening statements in the morning, the prosecution began calling its witnesses. They described the severe brain injury Mylee Grace Ferguson sustained in July 2007. Her father, Miles Ferguson, is on trial for homicide by child abuse in her death.

Prosecutors say Mylee died from shaken baby syndrome, though the defense will argue Mylee died from an underlying medical condition.

The trial will take a break tomorrow for Veteran's Day.

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Earlier story on carolinalive.com -

Opening statements delivered in child abuse case

Opening statements were delivered Tuesday morning in the trial of an Ohio man accused of killing his 5 week old daughter while on vacation in Myrtle Beach in 2007.

Miles Ferguson broke down in court as the defense attorney delivered his opening statement. The courtroom took a break around 11:00am and testimony begins following the break.

Horry County Police arrested Ferguson in July 2007 after his infant daughter died at the Medical University of Charleston. He is charged with homicide by child abuse.

Medical experts said Mylee Grace's injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome and she suffered a severe brain injury, said Candice Lively, the prosecutor trying the case. Lively said defense attorneys will try to argue Mylee Grace had a pre-existing medical condition which led to her death, but Lively contends an autopsy showed the infant was healthy.

NewsChannel 15 has a crew in the courtroom and we'll have a full report tonight on NewsChannel 15 at 6, as well as updates throughout the day right here on CarolinaLive.com.

To leave a comment, scroll down and click on "post a comment."

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12 Comments on this Story
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; they are not reflective of the views or opinions of Barrington Broadcasting, WPDE, its directors or employees. If you believe a comment violates the Barrington Terms of Use, please report it here.

Retired office worker

Posted by CANDACE BAILEY, FLORIDA - Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 5:38 p.m.

We were on our way to the hospital with our baby when she choked on mucus or something and I panicked. I patted,shook her and she still didn't breathe so I picked her up by the heels and patted her back and shook her. I was very BLESSED. The phlegm came out and she started breathing. At that time we had never heard of CPR. They didn't even teach CPR. So each of us before we judge this man should think (WHAT DID I DO WHEN MY CHILD WAS CHOKING)? We do not know until we walk in his shoes.

Supporting Miles Ferguson

Posted by Melissa Bennett, Ohio - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 7:37 p.m.

First of all, let me say that I do not know this family; however, my heart breaks for them. When my nephew was a baby and I was babysitting him, he also quit breathing. I was scared to death and honestly don't remember exactly what I did in what order. I picked him up, shook him a little, and gave him CPR. His eyes rolled back in his head which absolutely terrified me. I called family and 911. Thankfully, he survived. He did have underlying medical conditions - spina bifida, hydrocephelus, brain stem issues, etc. Once at the hospital, he was sent to Children's Hospital and had to have surgery on his brain stem because it was pressing on his brain causing him to quit breathing. He had been on a monitor that would beep when he quit breathing. I am just saying I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND that there could have been underlying medical conditions and until you are in a situation like that, YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD DO! I would have done anything to get my nephew to breathe. I have seen your comments and footage of the trial and hope and pray he is given a FAIR trial in your county and not tried to be made an example because he is from another state. Praying justice prevails and God's love showers the family during this time.

Please read my blog

Posted by Penny Mellor, UK - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 2:55 a.m.

I am a campaigner against false allegations in the UK. My blog has alot of helpful medical information on it. Please read it. I have successfully been able to help the defence by researching medical conditions that cause sudden unexpected death in several high profile baby death cases in the UK. Research is the key to showing a parent's innocence.

http://keran-henderson-innocent.blogspot.com/

Good luck.

Penny

We are here to support Miles and Miley

Posted by M G, Maryland - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 1:03 a.m.

We ARE speaking out for Miley when we support her loving father, we are speaking out for a child who can not say my father is innocent. It is important to hold the medical professionals and law inforcement to the duty of going above and beyond to help citizens. We can not allow them to classify everything that happens in this rocky road of life as open and shut book cases, they must be held accountable. Let the TRUTH speak and it shall set you FREE! We love you Miles, Ashley, and Miley!

Innocent Man

Posted by Wade Bales, Portsmouth - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.

Miles is an innocent man. I have known him for a LONG time, and never have i heard or seen a sign of anger, rage, or violence towards a grown man, let alone a child or baby. I feel with all my heart, God is using this to let people know that he is God, and he is in control. No body else will get Miles out of this besides Jesus Christ. No family member, no support team, even though they will help, God and God alone will do this. Miles is far greater then just a great man.

Miles is inocent

Posted by J Wilkerson, South Shore, Ky - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 8:12 p.m.

I am so sorry for all of you that do not truly know the character of the man Miles Ferguson. I am sorry you do not know how much he loved his little girl.
I am sorry you don't know how he tried to get help to save his baby. I am so sorry that this family had this happen to them. It is sad enough for a person to loose their child to death, but to experience the unthinkable that someone would think you could hurt your child. I feel sorry for all the people that wrote unkind comments about this family.
I feel sorry for all of the people in South Carolina that have falsely accused this family. If the people
of South Carolina do not find this young man innocent, it will be one of the greatest injustices this country has ever seen. By the way I would stake my life on the innocence of the man Miles Lee Ferguson. Man God help us all.

Don't judge!

Posted by I support Miles, Portsmouth - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.

But you're on here posting from SC, when you don't even know Miles. You don't know the type of person he is or what he's capable of. So how can you pass judgment on someone you don't even know? The people that are supporting him, know him and know he's a good father and husband and would never intentionally harm his daughter! We believe in you Miles, and believe that you will be free soon and will be able to continue with your life and put this all behind you. Stay strong and God bless!

supporter

Posted by J W, New Boston, OHIO - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:38 p.m.

Our thoughts and prayers are with him...

**********

Posted by B B, South Carolina - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 3:29 p.m.

So your on here defending this guy so who is telling the truth here? Him or the cops? seems to me they have enough evidence to convict him....You should be on here defending the helpless child that didnt have a chance.If your saying he wouldnt do that well who did then,someone did!!

Prevail

Posted by Greg Werner, Conway - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.

I as the other know that God will prevail. I am sorry that the family and freinds are having to go through all of this. However he is innocent until proven guilty. I will reserve my comments until the verdict is in.

Miles Lee

Posted by praying Mom, Portsmouth, Ohio - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:51 p.m.

We are all praying for the Ferguson Family... God will prevail!

Friend

Posted by Erica Shoemaker, Portsmouth, OH - Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:35 p.m.

Miles is INNOCENT! I would trust him with my child any time of any day. I have known him for a long time and I know he would not do this to anyone, let alone his own child. He is a great father and husband. I pray that justice is done and Miles comes home to his family soon.

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