Murder rap in Qns. baby shake death

A QUEENS woman who took custody of her stepdaughter’s child shook the baby to death, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Shanica Callaghan, 29, thrashed 11-month-old Jeremiah Callaghan so violently, she fractured his skull, prosecutors said.

She’s now charged with the boy’s murder.

When Jeremiah initially fell ill on Aug. 31, police tried to determine whether he was shaken or had an allergic reaction to formula.

The boy died on Sept. 6, and an autopsy showed a traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture, bleeding to the brain, a detached left retina and extensive spinal cord damage, prosecutors said.

Jeremiah lived with his grandfather, Clinton Callaghan, 54, his wife, Shanica, and their three daughters.

Shanica and Clinton Callaghan took Jeremiah and their own children to Brookville Playground at about 6 p.m. on Aug. 31, and returned to their home on 144th Ave. near 231st St. in Springfield Gardens about 90 minutes later.

Shanica Callaghan told police that while she was alone with the boy, she changed his diaper and gave him a bottle, but when she burped him, he started vomiting and had difficulty breathing, prosecutors said.

Medics rushed him to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he was declared brain dead.

Callaghan was ordered held after her arraignment Tuesday.