Benefit to help Shaken Baby Syndrome victim, family.

Xavier and Angie Setlack

Benefit to help Shaken Baby Syndrome victim, family.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

SHELBY – Last August, Angie Setlack got the call no mother ever wants to receive. Angie had just returned to work after being off on maternity leave following the birth of her son, Xavier, and Xavier’s father was watching him for the first time while she was at work.

The father, Peter Trevigne, called Angie to say 3-month-old Xavier was rushed to the hospital with breathing problems.

Angie and Trevigne, who were no longer together as a couple, lived in the Seattle area. It was determined by doctors that Xavier had suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Trevigne, now age 39, has been charged with first-degree child abuse and remains in jail on a $500,000 bond. His trial is slated for this September, said Angie.

Angie told police that early in the work day she received 20-30 text messages from Trevigne who was complaining about the baby not sleeping and fussing. He continued to complain 60-70 times throughout the day, she said, despite her giving him tips and even sending their weekly nurse to make a special visit to the home. The nurse visited at about 11:30 a.m. and indicated the baby was healthy, reports say. The 911 call came a few hours later.

At one point, Trevigne allegedly wrote a text message that said, “This isn’t working, can I murder the baby, please,” according to court records.

Little Xavier fought for his life in the hospital for 16 days, hooked up to tubes to assist his breathing and in a medically-induced coma. The doctors’ diagnosis was grim: due to severe brain damage, he may never walk or talk.

Nearly one year later, there are still a lot of unknowns with Xavier’s condition, but one thing is certain – he will never be normal, Angie said. He is legally blind, suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and his brain has atrophied.

Angie, who moved back to her hometown Shelby after Xavier was abused, now lives with her parents Rich and Barb Setlack. Her parents help take care of Xavier and assist with the many trips to Grand Rapids for treatment and therapy.

Angie, who is a 2000 Shelby High School graduate, had a successful career in Seattle that she had to leave behind. She was an admissions counselor for graduate studies for Seattle University. She now works part-time at Shelby State Bank.

The family needs to purchase equipment and must make several changes to the house to help Xavier, she said. Coupled with the countless trips to Grand Rapids, expenses are mounting.

In order to help one of their fellow Knights, Rich Setlack, and his family, the Knights of Columbus Council 2199 is having a benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction Friday, July 19, from 4-7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hart located at 109 Washington Street.

Donations will be taken for the dinner cost.

Angie is hoping Xavier’s story raises awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome. She has shared her story on a national spotlight in Parent’s Magazine and on MSN.

“A moment of rage changed my baby forever,” Angie said.

Those unable to attend the benefit can send donations to the Setlacks at 186 S. State St., Shelby MI 49455.

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