Conspiracy Alleged in Shaken Baby Syndrome Death
Key Takeaways
- Reinan Law filed a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging a pediatrician altered medical records in a shaken baby case.
- The suit claims financial incentives and concealed hospital policies fueled wrongful child abuse prosecutions.
- Multiple major institutions and officials are named in the $10 million case following years of international legal battles.
Reinan Law is representing William Reynolds in a high-profile federal racketeering case that alleges a conspiracy within the Twin Cities medical and legal communities following the tragic 2017 death of 11-month-old Gabriel Cooper.
The case stems from the prosecution of Reynolds’ wife, Sylwia Pawlak-Reynolds, who was charged with second-degree murder after Cooper died while in her in-home daycare. She has maintained her innocence and has lived in Poland since the charges were filed.
At the heart of the lawsuit is Dr. Nancy Harper, a prominent child abuse pediatrician at the University of Minnesota. The complaint alleges that Dr. Harper altered and concealed key medical evidence—including signs of a fall, a genetic blood disorder, and conflicting medical opinions—to build a shaken baby syndrome case. Reinan Law argues this manipulation not only influenced the murder charges but also tore a family apart without sufficient scientific support.
The 113-page federal suit names multiple defendants, including Hennepin County, Hennepin Healthcare, the University of Minnesota, and members of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. It outlines a broader pattern of systemic misconduct fueled by financial incentives tied to child abuse prosecutions.
As attorney Jay Reinan told the Star Tribune, “The concealed, secret policies and procedures … prevent other doctors from documenting conflicting opinions that might weaken her child abuse diagnosis.”
This lawsuit seeks over $10 million in damages and aims to expose how unchecked prosecutorial power, incentivized policies, and questionable medical practices can lead to wrongful charges and lifelong trauma.
Read the full Star Tribune article here.
If your family has been affected by wrongful accusations or questionable medical findings in a child abuse case, Reinan Law is here to help. Contact us to discuss your legal options and fight for justice.
