5. Shaken — Episode — Law & Order: UK

5. Shaken

An unfolding tragedy takes unexpected twists and turns as what initially looks like a cot death of 6 month old Alex Raines is later diagnosed as shaken baby syndrome leaving Matt and Ronnie with a murder investigation on their hands. But with many possible suspects - the neglectful mum, the absent dad, the resentful nanny or her short-tempered soldier boyfriend - who should our cops arrest? During the trial and pitted against the indefatigable Helena Marsden, the very framework of this family is pulled apart and the CPS are forced to do some investigating of their own.

Description credits

Description source · Content or data license. Source formatting adapted for this entry.

The story

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Plot summary

An infant is found dead in his cot, it is suspected that the baby died of cot death. However, when it is revealed that the baby died as a result of being shaken, Brooks and Devlin initially suspect the live-in nanny, especially after she admits to being the only person around the baby in the 24 hours preceding his death. Things begin to get complicated, however, when it is discovered that other people were in the house that day. The live-in nanny's boyfriend soon falls under suspicion, as his rough attitude with his four-year-old nephew has come under suspicion from social services. However, it soon becomes clear that the nanny may have been having an off-day, and a quick reaction to a minor incident may have caused the fatal move.

Credits

Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Law & Order: UK series 4. HTML formatting and reference markers removed.

Original text and revision history

Content license