The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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July 20, 2006

Baby's death leads to crusade

Grandfather hopes to raise awareness

By Joe Pinchot

SHARON — Beth Clark has an endless well of sympathy for people who have suffered family tragedies, particularly those that involve children.

But, the Sharon woman said she did not know what those people were feeling; she could not relate to their tragedies.

That changed June 16, when her 3-month-old grandson, Dillon Mortimer, died of brain injuries that Sharon police said were the result of being shaken by his father, Thomas F. Mortimer.

“I didn’t know how much pain,” Ms. Clark said. “I knew there would be pain, but you don’t know how much until you go through it.”

Ms. Clark’s husband, Jeff, said Ms. Clark has had a hard time dealing with that pain, even blaming herself for not being a good enough grandmother.

Clark has had no shortage of anguish himself, starting with the day the boy was injured, June 3.

“At first, I was pretty tore up over it,” he said.

But, Clark said he has found a way to help deal with the agony when he hit upon an idea that has turned into a crusade. He started a foundation under the auspices of Shenango Valley Foundation in honor of Dillon, and, with help from cousin Bob O’Hara, who owns Performance Cycle in Sharon, and friend Jerry McFarland, owner of the Clark House in Clark, planned the foundation’s first fundraisers — a bike run and Chinese auction, both set for Sunday.

Money raised by the events will be split between Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, where Dillon was treated, and the Mercer County chapter of Parents of Murdered Children.

“Doing this has really helped me,” Clark said. “It’s a way to deal with it. I want to make his death worth something.”

Clark said he would like to be able to raise awareness of the dangers of shaking babies.

Police allege Mortimer, who has been charged with aggravated assault, shook Dillon out of frustration over the baby’s crying.

When shaken violently, babies’ brains bounce off the insides of their skulls, causing bleeding and other injuries.

Young children who survive being severely shaken often develop cerebral palsy, loss of vision or other serious health problems.

Ms. Clark said her daughter, Amanda Husband, could not leave the hospital when Dillon was born until she saw a video on shaken babies, and signed a form that she had seen it. But, there’s no such requirement for fathers, she said.

Clark, who owns a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, said he wanted to plan a fundraiser that involved bikers, who generally have big hearts.

“The bikers come in usually pretty good when it’s anything to do with kids,” he said.

The Dillon Memorial Bike Run starts with registration at 11 a.m. at the Clark House, Valley View Road. The bikers will hit Score Nightclub in Franklin, Doggie’s Crystal Lake Inn in Hartstown and the Jug Handle in Pymatuning Township before returning to the Clark House at about 4:30 p.m.

The auction will be held at the Clark House from 1 to 5 p.m. More than 40 businesses have donated items, including motorcycle-related stores and restaurants.

“Hopefully, we’ll get a good turnout,” said Clark, who has been posting fliers in several counties.



Mortimer faces a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 1 before District Judge James E. McMahon, Sharon. Law enforcement officials have said they plan to file more serious charges against Mortimer.

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