By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

MOORESVILLE — A Mooresville woman was charged with felony child abuse after she was accused of shaking an 8-month-old baby she was babysitting. Investigators say the incident was brought to the attention of law enforcement after the woman called 911.

Candice Marie Irvin, 30, of the 100 block of Midfield Street, was issued a $2,500 secured bond and has since been released from the Rowan County Detention Center.

Initially, Concord Police began looking into the incident because the family lives in Concord, but officials soon determined the incident occurred at Irvin’s Mooresville home, in Rowan County. Authorities said on March 7, Irvin called 911 to say the child she was babysitting was unconscious. By the time paramedics arrived, the child was conscious and appeared to be fine.

The parents took the child to the emergency room and determined the boy had injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, said Capt. John Sifford.

The baby had a subdural hematoma (collection of blood) on his brain and was taken to Levine’s Children’s Hospital in Charlotte where doctors said the injuries sustained would have yielded immediate symptoms, which is unconsciousness.

Concord Police had already confirmed the parents were not at fault. The baby was dropped off at Irvin’s home at 7 a.m. and the 911 call was made at 11 a.m.