An exclusive Problem Solver report investigates a convicted baby killer's crusade to get his guilty verdict overturned and a legion of supporters that seems to be backing his claim that he did not kill his child.

Dad Convicted Of Baby's Death Blames Vaccines

 

Nearly four years ago, Alan Yurko was sentenced to life in prison in the murder of his 10-week-old baby.

It is a murder he claims he did not commit, Local 6 News reported.

"I got wrongly convicted for something I didn't do," Yurko said from a Florida prison.

Problem Solver Tony Pipitone asked, "But a jury says you are guilty."

"They're wrong," Yurko said.

Since his sentence, Yurko has created a Web site where people can by a "Free Alan Yurko" T-shirt or just donate to his defense fund as he asks an Orange County judge to give him a new trial. Yurko's efforts has built a following.

The mother of the baby he is convicted of killing, Francine Yurko, is convinced that her husband is innocent.

"I know Alan did not do this. If I thought for one moment Alan was even capable even of doing something like this, he would have been lucky the police got to him before I did," Francine Yurko said.

Instead of blaming Yurko, who was the only adult with baby when he stopped breathing in November 1997, the Yurkos blame a standard multivaccine given to their prematurely born infant.

Even though a jury found Yurko inflicted the trauma, Yurko's Web site has gained appeal from anti-immunization activists.

However, child expert Matt Seibel said there was no mistake made on the most important fact in the case, Problem Solver Tony Pipitone reported.

"The medical findings are quite clear that this child sustained life-ending trauma," Seibel said.

Pipitone asked, "Is it possible that the vaccine contributed to this (child's death)?"

"No sir, we immunize millions of children on a regular bassis and these findings are absolutely not associated with vaccines," Seibel said.

Local 6 News reported that while severe reactions to the shots are rare, they do happen. But, other evidence supported the abuse findings.

"The child also had a number of bone fractures, which are diagnostic of an abusive inflicted situation," Seibel said.

Yurko and supporters said scurvy and brittle bone disease could have caused fractures during birth.

Siebel does not agree with the theory.

"This is a very unfortunately common occurance to see brain injury in conjunction with inflicted rib fractures and it all goes together," Seibel said.

Pipitone asked, "What does it add up to?"

"It adds up to a child that was killed," Seibel said.

Francine Yurko disagrees with Seibel.

"Dr. Seibel, I have to quetion his research and authority as well," Yurko said. "Our child had many different health issues to begin with. Then he was given vaccines on top of that. That complicated the situation even further."

Siebel said that he sees why the "Free Yurko" Web site could attrct attention on the surface, according to the report.

"I don't like people being in jail," Seibel said. "I don't like the idea of a child who is being killed."

But, Seibel insists that Yurko's baby was killed, Local 6 News reported.

Pipitone asked, "So what lessons should the public take from the case?"

"Don't shake your baby," Seibel said.

The investigation continues Friday night on Local 6 News.