Burnsville Woman's Assault Gave Baby Permanent Brain Damage: Cops

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Mei Yen Lam, 33, of Burnsville, has been charged with one felony count of assault in connection with serious injuries inflicted upon a baby boy she was caring for Feb. 5.

The baby survived, but suffered severe and permanent brain damage as a result of these injuries, according to police.

On Feb. 5, Burnsville policeand medics were dispatched to a home on a report of an unconscious baby. The 9-month-old baby boy was transported to Fairview Ridges Hospital by ambulance and then taken to the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital because of the extent of his injuries.

Doctors determined the baby suffered injuries to his brain and spinal cord. The baby had bleeding on both sides of his brain and two fractured vertebrae. Emergency brain surgery was required.

Bruises on both of the baby’s thighs were also found.

A child abuse pediatrician determined these injuries were non-accidental, and therefore the result of abuse, investigators said.

Mei Yen Lam — who called 911 Feb. 5 — had been caring for the infant at the request of the baby's mother since Jan. 29, according to the criminal complaint.

Lam told police that no one else had been alone with the baby since he had been staying at her home. She said she was trying to feed the baby but he appeared to choke on his food, spit up, and then became limp and stopped breathing, according to investigators.

Lam later admitted she threw the baby on the bed "really hard" several days preceding the date of the 911 call, the criminal complaint states. One doctor told an investigator the baby's injuries were consistent with being thrown but much more force was used than what Lam described.

Lam was arrested Wednesday following a court appearance on a child protection petition filed involving her two natural children.

"Abusive head trauma to infants and young children is a serious problem that often results in permanent brain injury or death," Backstrom said in a statement. "Our sympathy is extended to the baby’s parents and family."

Backstrom thanked Burnsville police and the medical professionals who provided care to this baby.

Lam will make her first court appearance in connection with the criminal charge Thursday morning in Hastings.

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