Monday, February 24, 2014

Dad charged with "malicious punishment" of 5-month-old son; baby in intensive care (Farmington, Minnesota)

The "frustrated" dad is identified as THOMAS PATRICK ANDERSON. No mention of a mother in the home.

http://www.farmingtonindependent.com/content/farmington-father-charged-shaking-baby

Farmington father charged with shaking baby
By Nathan Hansen on Feb 23, 2014 at 7:44 a.m.

A Farmington father has been charged with malicious punishment of a child for allegedly shaking his 5-month-old son hard enough to land the child in the intensive care unit.

The Dakota County Attorney’s office charged 29-year-old Thomas Patrick Anderson last week in connection with the incident, which happened Jan. 29.

Farmington police were notified Feb. 11 of a possible child abuse case. According to the complaint filed in the county attorney’s office, the child had been brought to the hospital Jan. 31 for vomiting and dehydration. He stayed in the hospital until Feb. 3, then returned Feb. 8 because of continued problems.

At the second visit, doctors found fluid on the boy’s brain and installed a shut to relieve pressure.

Anderson originally told police the child had fallen off the couch, but doctors said the boy’s injuries were likely caused by shaking or being thrown violently on a bed.

According to the complaint, Anderson later admitted that in addition to falling off the couch he had gotten frustrated with the child’s crying and had shaken the boy at what he estimated was a 9 or a 10 on a 10-point scale.

Anderson has been charged with two counts of malicious punishment of a child. Each has a maximum sentence of five years and a maximum fine of $10,000.