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Babysitter's CPR attempt caused boy's death
©Associated Press
August 15, 2002
JACKSONVILLE -- A babysitter's attempt to revive an unconscious 8-year-old after a fight has been blamed for his death, prosecutors said.
Xavier Bush died July 30 at Shands Jacksonville hospital from injuries received when his babysitter, a 14-year-old relative, tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation after he threw Xavier to the floor and knocked him unconscious, investigators said.
Prosecutor Terri Phillips said the teen's only understanding of CPR had come from television. The teenager, who is not being named because of his age, was charged with misdemeanor battery because of the fight.
Xavier suffered fatal internal injuries, including damage to his liver, Phillips said. The head injury would not have killed him, investigators said.
"There was really no criminal act that caused the death," Phillips said. "They were fighting, like children do every day."
The 14-year-old had been babysitting the boy for the summer, investigators said. The teen, who weighs 215 pounds, and Xavier were fighting July 30 when Xavier was knocked unconscious.
The sitter tried to revive him with water, then tried CPR. But he applied too much pressure to the boy's abdomen, Phillips said. He then ran next door to call 911.
Phillips said the teenager will be placed in a juvenile diversion program and undergo counseling at his home in Central Florida.
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