News 3 Now ·  Desktop WX ·  Contact ·  Site Map
Home  ·   News  ·   Weather  ·   Sports  ·   Features  ·   Business  ·   Morning Show  ·   The Buzz  ·   Eye on You (Your Photos & Videos)  ·   KBTX Cares
At the Movies · Eat.Stay.Play. · Contest · Calendar · Lottery · Blogs · Inside KBTX · Job Search · Obituaries · CW Texas · CBS · Digital TV · Gas Prices
SpeakOut Poll
Are you watching the Olympics in high definition?

Yes
No
I'm not watching the Olympics
I don't have high definition


Community Links
CS Injured Toddler Receives Treatment in Nebraska Save Email Print
Posted: 10:49 PM May 7, 2008
Last Updated: 4:01 PM May 8, 2008
Reporter: Crystal Galny
Email Address: galny@kbtx.com

A | A | A

It's been more than a month since a College Station toddler suffered injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Doctors say the road to recovery will be a long one for Alexis Verzal, and that road has led the family north.

"Since we've been here, Alexis has made more progress than I thought she might ever make again," said Tiffany Verzal, Alexis' mom.

Brandon and Tiffany Verzal live and work in College Station. But when their one-year-old daughter suffered life-threatening injuries, they turned to their home state of Nebraska for help.

"It feels good, it feels good to be back and close to family and friends. We love Texas. We love where we live in College Station, but there's something about Nebraska and something about being home," Brandon said.

On April 3, Alexis suffered what investigators call non-accidental head trauma at a family daycare.

"We don't know what happened, we know what the doctors have told us, but we don't know what happened on that particular day." Brandon said. "You can do all the research in the world on the best place is to take your child, and do everything by text book in terms of checking to make sure everything is ok with that place, and you just never know."

Alexis is now receiving care at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln.

"The goals they've set for her and the people that we've worked with here, they're just very positive," Tiffany said. "I hear over and over that Madonna is the place of miracles. That is true for our daughter already," she said.

Doctors are hopeful Alexis will take her first steps since the accident sometime next week. Until then, the Verzals are relying on the power of prayer.

"From coast to coast, we have people praying and doing whatever they can to help Alexis and help us out," Brandon said.

Doctors say Alexis could be at the rehab center for another four to six weeks.

There's no way of knowing the extent of her brain injuries, but Alexis is already smiling and moving her arms and legs, which are all steps in the right direction.

Meanwhile, the Brazos County sheriff's investigation continues into Alexis' injuries.

Click Pictures to Enlarge
More Stories
Heavy Rainfall Drenches Texas

TX-TF1 Deployed to Flooded North Texas

News 3 Investigates High B/CS Gas Prices

Bremond Receives Much Needed Rain

Pain at the Pump Worse in B/CS?

A First Glimpse at Reveille VIII

Relatives Call Jacominis' Death A Tragic Loss

4-H Fundraiser Takes the Cake

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: J Location: Grimes County on May 13, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Bart, I know we shouldn't judge people, but I would love to do some bodily harm to the person responsible for hurting your grandchild. It makes me sick and angry how anyone could harm a child. I'm so glad your grandchild is doing better and I pray that he will suffer no long-term effects from this. My prayers are with your family as well as you await the trial. God Bless.

Posted by: Bart Location: College Station on May 10, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Dear Verzel family, I feel for you both. I have a grand baby that was shaken violently and then thrown against a bed post and quite breathing. This was hear in CS. My daughters boyfriend said that it was an accident but we know that it wasn't because we also found out that 2 to 3 weeks before, that his ribs had been broken. He was only 1 1/2 months old when the ribs were broken and 2 months old for the shaken baby syndrome and non accidental head trama injuries. We didn't think that he was going to make it. But he is doing pretty good now. We don't know when the daddy will be going to trial. Just keep your heads up and the Lord is with you. It will be along road but your child will recover. Our prayers are with you all.

Posted by: Nan Location: Bryan on May 8, 2008 at 04:22 PM
I am so glad to hear Alexis is making progress. I don't understand how anyone would hurt such a beautiful child. I pray for her complete recovery.

Posted by: Deb Location: Bryan on May 8, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Thank you KBTX for the updates on this precious baby. As for Carry - this is heartbreaking to all parents and keeping us updated is what the news media is supposed to do. God Bless Alexis, Brandon & Tiffany!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Thanks KBTX for keeping us updated on Alexis's recovery. We are praying for her and her family.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan on May 8, 2008 at 11:45 AM
It is called Continuing Coverage of a Little Angel's struggle to recover after some IDIOT did her harm. God Bless Alexis and her family!

Posted by: Victoria Location: College Station on May 8, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I am very interested in this story, and I hope that KBTX keeps us updated on it. Every parent should be interested in this story. God bless you Alexis, Im praying for you and your family.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 8, 2008 at 09:12 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious daughter, Brandon and Tiffany. It's good to hear that Alexis is improving. We're rooting for her!!!

Posted by: Allie Location: College Station on May 8, 2008 at 08:26 AM
My heart goes out to the family!! I pray that Alexis receives the best possible treatment she can get. It is a scary situation to leave your child (any parents whole reason for living) in the hands of a total stranger. I just pray that this opens the eyes of people out there (parents and caregivers) that it is JUST EASIER to walk away! And to the person asking if we read about this last week, some of us are interested in the recovery of little Alexis and appreciate what KBTX is doing to keep us informed.

Posted by: HAPPY Location: BCS on May 8, 2008 at 08:06 AM
GO ALEXIS!!! THANK GOD YOU ARE RECOVERING SO WELL YOU ARE A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD AND I HOPE ALL IS WELL FROM NOW ON WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GOD BLESS

Posted by: Victoria Location: College Station on May 8, 2008 at 06:34 AM
I just dont understand how anyone could hurt a baby! Alexis is sooo cute! Babies are a gift from God that is to be cherished and nurtured, not beaten and shaken! I really hope the punish the person or persons who did this to the fullest extent of the law!

Posted by: carry Location: College Station on May 8, 2008 at 05:40 AM
Didn't we just read about this last week?

KBTX.com Video Player
AP Video
Digital TV