On June 5, Daniel became the victim of what the police said was a love triangle. His mother, 17-year-old Linda Whiteside, was walking with Ennis Walden, his father, through their migrant-camp neighborhood when a woman the police say was living with Mr. Walden fired a single shot at the couple, according to the authorities.

The bullet entered Miss Whiteside's lower back and passed through her kidney, bladder, colon and into her uterus before lodging in the brain of the 6 1/2-month-old fetus, the doctors said.

Several hours later, Daniel was delivered by Caesarean section. Skull fragments and gushing blood marked the wound. ''He was born in bad, bad condition,'' Dr. Melnick said. ''I thought, personally, he would die.'' Brain surgery was postponed until Daniel, connected to a lifesupport system, was stronger. The flattened bullet, which weighed an ounce, lodged between the halves of his brain. Nature responded with a protective membrane, Dr. Barth Green, a neurosurgeon, said.

Most babies born 2 1/2 months prematurely need the aid of a respirator for a week. Daniel was breathing on his own within 72 hours, Dr. Melnick said.

Within 45 days, he was released from the hospital to the care of his grandparents. Daily doses of phenobarbital were prescribed because of weak muscles on Daniel's right side, the part controlled by the damaged left half of his brain.