Stay-at-home dad "generally rough" with 4-month-old; that's why she has multiple fractures (New London, Connecticut)

Caretaking, stay-at-home dad JEFFREY MEARS admits that he was "generally rough" with his four-month-old daughter, which apparently explains why the baby had multiple fractures and bruises "consistent with multiple episodes of inflicted injury." Mears--who is nevertheless not quite sure of what went on due to his constant, self-admitted marijuana and alcohol use--stayed at home while the baby's 19-year-old mother worked. Mom is in trouble with the law for not seeking "alternative care," though it's not clear what options were really open to her. More proof that not many dads are really cut out for day-to-day care of infants or small children.

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=50d0c1b3-7929-4abb-9093-35b08960da10

Father in child abuse case tells police he was 'generally rough' with infant
By Karen Florin Day Staff Writer
Published on 6/29/2009


Jeffrey Mears, accused of inflicting multiple fractures and bruises on his four-month-old daughter, denied hurting the baby intentionally, but told police that his judgment gets “clouded” by the marijuana and alcohol he uses constantly.

Mears, 29, and the baby's mother, 19-year-old Jaime Carr, made their first appearance today in the New London court where their case will be heard. Mears is charged with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor. He is being held on $150,000 bond. Carr is charged with risk of injury to a minor and is free on $50,000 bond.

Both were assigned public defenders and had their cases continued. They are forbidden from having contact with the child, who is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
The couple was living at 1591 Norwich-New London Turnpike when the assaults occurred, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Mears would watch the child while Carr was at work.

The child's injuries were discovered on April 30, when Carr took him to his pediatrician. The doctor noticed the child had multiple bruises and a broken left arm. The baby was taken to the Connecticut Children Medical Center, where doctors determined the baby also had a healing fracture of the clavicle, healing fractures in both arms, multiple healing and fractured ribs, healing fractures to both legs and a probable skull fracture. They said the injuries were “consistent with multiple episodes of inflicted injury.”

Mears denied intentionally hurting the baby, but said he had fallen with her in his arms once. He told state police he was “generally rough” with her, that he “bobbles her around a lot” and that he was always intoxicated on marijuana and alcohol when he was around the baby and Carr.
The police have charged Carr with not seeking alternate care for the child, knowing that Mears was rough with her.