Who is Matty?

​Matty Eappen died at the age of eight months as a result of being violently shaken by a caregiver. This foundation was established in his memory to improve the safety and welfare of children by educating the public about the dangers of shaking a child and to provide assistance to victims and their families. 

About SbS/AhT

SBS/AHT (shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma) is a term used to describe the constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child. Infant crying is the most frequently cited trigger for shaking.

Our Mission

​The Matty Eappen Foundation is dedicated to preventing Abusive Head Trauma through public awareness and education and to providing assistance to victims and their families.​​

Funding Available

Grants
​The grant program provides funding for research and education, as well as financial support to victims of SBS/AHT.

Click on the link below to read more about how these grants support the ongoing work to prevent SBS/AHT.

Grant requests are reviewed quarterly by board members. Grants must meet mission statement criteria.

Our Work

Recent News
  • Ran MBTA transportation PSAs for education and prevention of abusive head trauma
  • Provided medical equipment for survivors of abusive head trauma
  • Supported families through legal trial in Massachusetts
  • Sponsored families to attend and speak at National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome / AHT conferences
  • Testified to legislators on act for medical examiner oversight in cases of death of a child under age 2
  • Contributed op-ed to Boston Globe on judge-reduced verdicts in recent convictions
  • Gave keynote addresses at multiple medical conferences on child abuse

Research

Over the last several years, the body of peer-reviewed scientific research on SBS/AHT and infant crying  has grown significantly.

©2024 MATTY EAPPEN FOUNDATION