Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PLEASANT GROVE — A Pleasant Grove man has been arrested for allegedly causing injuries to his 2-month-old daughter that one doctor told police were equivalent to being in a car crash.
The 30-year-old man was booked into the Utah County Jail on Monday for investigation of two counts of aggravated child abuse.
The investigation began when a 2-month-old girl was taken to American Fork Hospital by her parents just after midnight on Monday. The girl was flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital where it was determined that she was suffering from a skull fracture, brain bleed, fractures to both of her legs and bruising on her arms, legs and back, according to a police booking affidavit.
One doctor "equated the damage similar to being in a car crash, or being thrown down stairs" and explained to police that these types of injuries "typically occur after shaking, and/or incur due to being slammed on a hard surface."
After initially stating that his dog had knocked the infant out of his arms, the girl's father was again interviewed by police and admitted that he was stressed over being a new father and losing his job about the same time, according to the affidavit. He admitted to becoming frustrated when his daughter was fussy and cried and was hard to console.
On Oct. 5, when the baby was fussy and not eating, the father "threw" her across a couch, "slammed" her into her swing carrier and "smacked her across the head," the affidavit states. Then on Sunday, after again becoming frustrated with her not eating, the father "dropped" her into her crib from about shoulder height, and later "smacked her with a cushion" and then "dropped her to the floor," according to police.
After allegedly being dropped on the floor, the infant became quiet and lethargic and began throwing up. The father told police he was too scared to call 911, the affidavit states. The girl was taken to the hospital a couple of hours later after the girl's mother got home from work.
Help with Children
Those who feel stressed out with a child, who need a break or who feel like they need counseling or training can reach out to one of the following agencies:
- The Family Support Center has 15 locations throughout the state and offers a free crisis nursery for parents who have to keep appointments or who are stressed out. They also offer counseling and family mentoring. Call 801-955-9110 or visit familysupportcenter.org/contact.php for more information.
- The Division of Child and Family Services offers counseling, teaches parenting skills and conflict resolution and can connect the family with community resources. Their goal is to keep children with their family when it is "possible and safe." Read more at visitdcfs.utah.gov/questions/ or call 801-538-4100.
- The Christmas Box House acts as a temporary shelter for children and can provide them with new clothing and shoes, among other services. Call the Salt Lake office at 801-747-2201 or the Ogden office at 801-866-0350.
- Birth parents in Utah can safely and anonymously give up custody of their newborn child at any hospital in the state, with no legal consequences and no questions asked. The child's mother can drop off the child, or the mother can ask someone else to do it for her. The newborns should be dropped off at hospitals that are open 24 hours a day. Newborns given up in this manner will be cared for by the hospital staff, and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services will find a home for the child.
For more information, visit utahsafehaven.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 866-458-0058.
