Two-year-old Juan is recovering from an injury he received when he was just seven weeks old.

He arrived at the hospital with fractures to his skull, rib and breastbone as well as injuries to his eyes and brain. It all happened when his parents, in a moment of anger, took it out on their baby.

The doctors doubted he would survive. Miraculously, he did and now, as he approaches his third birthday, he's recovering under the care of his foster mother, Sue Harris, who plans to adopt him in the next few months.

Daily, authorities remove children from their homes because their parents have abused or neglected them.

That's why county authorities launched a campaign Tuesday to raise awareness of the permanent damage that can result when a child is hit or shaken.

"A second of rage or frustration can cause a lifetime of problems for the child," said county Supervisor Bill Horn.

In San Diego County, a child is hit on the head hard enough to cause injury about every 40 days or so, authorities said. Nearly 20 percent of these injuries prove fatal.

"Parents are not aware the impact a moment of frustration can have on their children," said Dr. Debra Zanders-Willis, of the county's Health and Human Services Agency.

She said that in most cases, the victims are less than two years old, mainly between two and six months of age.

"At times, even if they survive, they suffer damage that precludes them from totally recuperating," she added.

This damage includes blindness, paralysis, difficulty walking, or a mental disability.

The doctor urged parents to take steps when they are feeling extreme frustration so they don't take it out on their children. These include maintaining control when the child is crying, taking him to a safe place and leaving until the parent has dealt with the extreme stress.

She urged parents in this situation to ask a family member for help or call the county's help line at 211, where bilingual help is available.

"This is an important message all parents need to hear."

Meanwhile, the Harris family rejoices at every bit of progress Juan makes.

"We fell in love with him," Harris said. "He's a great fighter."

After years of surgery and therapy, Juan is able to hear and see and it's expected that he will be able to walk.

"He's a very happy kid; he loves music and to dance," said the foster mother, who plans to enroll him in preschool in December.

Alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com