A Washington state teenager who suffered life-long injuries when she was violently shaken as an infant has died, and a prosecutors' office said on Wednesday her biological father could be charged in her death. Baylee Duggins, 15, of Tacoma, died on Sunday from respiratory failure linked to pneumonia, according to her mother and the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. Her death was ruled a homicide, a result of being 'shaken as an infant,' the coroner's office said. Duggins' biological father, Christopher Schwanz, was convicted in 2000 of second-degree child abuse for shaking the girl as an infant, leaving her severely physically and mentally impaired, according to Pierce County court records. Homicide: Baylee Duggins, 15, of Tacoma, died Sunday from complications stemming from abuse she suffered as a child. Her mother, Shannon Stiles (left), wants Baylee's father to be charged . Disabled: Baylee never recovered from being shaken as a child, not being able to walk or talk . Birthday girl: Baylee and her mom Shannon are seen here at Baylee's 14th birthday party . He served about two years of his 46-month sentence. The Pierce County prosecutor's office was investigating the death and said on Wednesday that a decision on whether to bring a homicide charge against Schwanz would be made in coming days or weeks. Prosecutors were 'still gathering reports and information at this time,' a spokeswoman said, adding that law enforcement officials were also examining whether there was any statute of limitations that could prevent a new charge in the case. Duggins had been a normal, healthy baby before she was shaken, according to her mother, Shannon Stiles. The young girl spent her life confined to a wheelchair, was legally blind, and was never able to talk, she said. Baby girl: Baylee was born happy and healthy in 1999, but at three-months-old suffered serious head trauma after being shaken by her father . Precious: Baylee died Sunda,y nearly 15 years after she was violently shaken by her biological father . Fundraising: A GoFundMe page set up for Baylee's funeral expenses has raised over $3,000 . She underwent almost 20 surgeries over the course of her life, however her health took a steep decline in December. 'She was totally dependent,' Stiles said. 'And when she got sick, it was harder for her to heal.' Shaken baby syndrome, also known as abusive head trauma, is the leading cause of child abuse deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least one in four babies violently shaken dies, the CDC said. Those who survive are at risk for lifelong brain damage and other complications. Tragic: Baylee underwent nearly 20 surgeries and spent the 15 years of her life not being able to walk, tal, or do anything on her own . Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting oxygen . Stiles said she wants prosecutors to bring murder charges against the child's father. 'I want justice for Baylee,' she said. 'That's what it needs to be. She could never fight for herself, so we have to fight for her,' Stiles said. Stiles added to KOMO News that she still blames for Schwanz for what happened to Baylee. 'If it wasn't for him hurting her, she would be able to do anything to that she wanted to do,' Stiles told the network. 'I'm hoping he has to pay for taking my daughter's life away.' Schwanz could not be reached for comment about his daughter's death or the possible new charges.
At three-months-old Baylee Duggins was shaken by her father .
She was rushed to hospital in January 2000 with head trauma .
Baylee never recovered and was unable to walk or talk .
Her father Christopher Schwanz was convicted of child abuse and served two years of a 46-month prison sentence .
Baylee died on Sunday aged 15 and her death was ruled a homicide .
Prosecutors investigating whether Schwanz will be charged .
A Washington state teenager who suffered life-long injuries when she was violently shaken as an infant has died, and a prosecutors' office said on Wednesday her biological father could be charged in her death. Baylee Duggins, 15, of Tacoma, died on Sunday from respiratory failure linked to pneumonia, according to her mother and the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. Her death was ruled a homicide, a result of being 'shaken as an infant,' the coroner's office said. Duggins' biological father, Christopher Schwanz, was convicted in 2000 of second-degree child abuse for shaking the girl as an infant, leaving her severely physically and mentally impaired, according to Pierce County court records. Homicide: Baylee Duggins, 15, of Tacoma, died Sunday from complications stemming from abuse she suffered as a child. Her mother, Shannon Stiles (left), wants Baylee's father to be charged . Disabled: Baylee never recovered from being shaken as a child, not being able to walk or talk . Birthday girl: Baylee and her mom Shannon are seen here at Baylee's 14th birthday party . He served about two years of his 46-month sentence. The Pierce County prosecutor's office was investigating the death and said on Wednesday that a decision on whether to bring a homicide charge against Schwanz would be made in coming days or weeks. Prosecutors were 'still gathering reports and information at this time,' a spokeswoman said, adding that law enforcement officials were also examining whether there was any statute of limitations that could prevent a new charge in the case. Duggins had been a normal, healthy baby before she was shaken, according to her mother, Shannon Stiles. The young girl spent her life confined to a wheelchair, was legally blind, and was never able to talk, she said. Baby girl: Baylee was born happy and healthy in 1999, but at three-months-old suffered serious head trauma after being shaken by her father . Precious: Baylee died Sunda,y nearly 15 years after she was violently shaken by her biological father . Fundraising: A GoFundMe page set up for Baylee's funeral expenses has raised over $3,000 . She underwent almost 20 surgeries over the course of her life, however her health took a steep decline in December. 'She was totally dependent,' Stiles said. 'And when she got sick, it was harder for her to heal.' Shaken baby syndrome, also known as abusive head trauma, is the leading cause of child abuse deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least one in four babies violently shaken dies, the CDC said. Those who survive are at risk for lifelong brain damage and other complications. Tragic: Baylee underwent nearly 20 surgeries and spent the 15 years of her life not being able to walk, tal, or do anything on her own . Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting oxygen . Stiles said she wants prosecutors to bring murder charges against the child's father. 'I want justice for Baylee,' she said. 'That's what it needs to be. She could never fight for herself, so we have to fight for her,' Stiles said. Stiles added to KOMO News that she still blames for Schwanz for what happened to Baylee. 'If it wasn't for him hurting her, she would be able to do anything to that she wanted to do,' Stiles told the network. 'I'm hoping he has to pay for taking my daughter's life away.' Schwanz could not be reached for comment about his daughter's death or the possible new charges.
charged in her death. Baylee Duggins, 15, of Tacoma, died on Sunday from respiratory failure death was ruled a homicide, a result of being Duggins' biological father, Christopher Schwanz, was convicted in 2000 of second-degree child Disabled: Baylee never recovered from being shaken as a child, not being able to walk or talk served about two years of his 46-month sentence. three-months-old suffered serious head trauma after being shaken by her father . Precious: