#566 Maggie Freleng with Josh Burns

#566 Maggie Freleng with Josh Burns

From Wrongful Conviction by Lava for Good Podcasts

March 19, 2026 · 39 min · Episode 566

About this episode

The episode discusses the case of Joshua Burns, who was wrongfully convicted of child abuse following the illness of his daughter, Naomi.

On January 7, 2014, 37-year-old Brenda Burns gave birth to a baby girl, Naomi. Two months later, on March 15, 2014, Brenda was running errands, and Naomi was home with her father, Brenda’s husband, 37-year-old Joshua Burns. They had talked on the phone while Brenda was out, and all was well. When Brenda returned, she found Joshua tending to a cut on Naomi’s face. Naomi fell forward while on Joshua’s lap. He caught her, but she consequently cut her face on his hand. Naomi fell ill in the subsequent weeks. Her parents took her to doctors and emergency care multiple times, and the doctors sent her home with medicine each time. The final time, doctors declared that Naomi had retinal hemorrhaging. The doctor determined it was a result of child abuse and Shaken Baby Syndrome. Joshua was charged with second-degree child abuse. After a trial without updated scientific evidence, but with conflicting medical testimony, a jury found Joshua guilty, and sentenced him to one year in prison.   To learn more and get involved, visit: https://unshakentruth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/unshakentruth76/ https://innocenceproject.org/petitions/justice-for-robert-roberson/…

People in this episode

Host: Maggie Freleng

Guest: Josh Burns

Topics covered

  • child abuse
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • wrongful conviction
  • medical testimony
  • legal system

Keywords

  • wrongful conviction
  • child abuse
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • Joshua Burns
  • Brenda Burns

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lava for Good Podcasts, Innocence Project

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