Baby Abe's Family Fighting Against Shaken Baby Syndrome

Little Abe Sloan – nearly 6 months old – is healing after police say his aunt confessed to severely injuring him while he was crying on multiple occasions.

His family is advocating against child abuse while raising money for Abe’s care and to fight shaken baby syndrome. They are holding a big fundraiser from noon to 9 p.m. April 27 at Sunset Bowl. Tickets are $20 and include three games of bowling, shoe rental, food and raffle tickets. For those that do not want to bowl, tickets are $5.

After Abe’s injury the doctor’s told the family and police the injuries done to the then 4-month-old baby in January and February could lead to long-term motor delay, blindness and mental retardation. A video on their Facebook page in February shows Abe cooing while he was recovering.

 And he’s made improvements since then, according to this March 1 update:

“Abe had his MRI, went to neurosurgery clinic. Head circumference, following along the curve, they are happy his disposition has improved. MRI looks the same as last week. They would like to see the fluid going down, not staying the same. We will have a full head MRI in about a month, visit the neurosurgeon again and talk again about the possibility of a second surgery. So thumbs up for no surgery today, one more month for prayer, healing and love. Thank you all so much for the support received this far, keep the prayers coming. It's working!”

The family has been using the Facebook page to not only fight for Abe, but to advocate for other babies throughout the country who have been victims of child abuse.

"If we can stop another child from getting hurt then it will all have been worth it," Abe’s mom, Gretchen Sloan, told CBS 58.

Meanwhile, Abe’s aunt, Toni M. Mackay, 36, of Waukesha, pleaded not guilty to physical abuse of a child-recklessly causing great bodily harm during a court hearing Friday. She was released from jail on $15,000 bail in February and will return to court June 14.

If convicted, Mackay faces up to 10 years initial confinement in prison.