PEORIA, Ill. (TCN) — A father allegedly abused and caused brain injuries to his baby while the child’s mother was at work.
According to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, on June 2, 24-year-old Gabriel King cared for his 2-month-old child. Later that afternoon, King reportedly called the infant’s mother and said the baby was “crying uncontrollably and would not calm down.”
The child’s mother arrived home and noticed the baby was “screaming in a way she had never heard before.” She reportedly changed the infant’s diaper and saw bruising, so she took her child to the hospital.
Authorities said the baby suffered three separate brain bleeds, an upper arm fracture, and bruising. A doctor determined the victim’s injuries were caused by suspected child abuse.
The following day, a Department of Children and Family Services worker responded to the hospital. According to the state’s attorney’s office, the mother told officials she didn’t notice any injuries when she was with her child on May 31 and June 1. Later that evening, the caseworker alerted the Bartonville Police Department about possible child abuse.
During an interview, King reportedly told police he was watching the infant when he became “overstimulated and overwhelmed.” King allegedly said the infant fell, and he grabbed his child’s arm. Per the state’s attorney’s office, King also told authorities that his child “might have hit something and that he may have handled the baby too roughly.” However, King allegedly told officials he “could not recall much of what transpired that day.”
On June 17, the state’s attorney’s office announced that King was charged with aggravated battery. He remains held in the Peoria County Jail.
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