Babysitting dad has "temper tantrum," 2-year-old's arm is broken (Rochester, Minnesota)

Dad JESSEE PAUL SOUTHWICK was supposed to be watching his kids, but got upset when his 2-year-old son "kept getting in the way" (whatever that means). So Dad had a temper tantrum and threw a box of books at the child, breaking his arm. Mom says that Dad trashed the apartment, too. I think there are some guys who just can't deal with caring for children, and this is one of them.

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=409809

Man accused of hurting child during temper tantrum
7/29/2009 8:05:01 AM

By Janice Gregorson
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

A Rochester man who threw a box of books in a burst of anger three months ago faces criminal charges for endangering his child, who was hit by the box and suffered a broken arm.

Jesse Paul Southwick, 31, 212 9 1/2 St. S.E., is charged with one felony count of child endangerment for intentionally or recklessly causing or permitting a child to be in a situation likely to cause him harm or death. A summons has been issued for Southwick to appear in Olmsted District Court on Aug. 13.

The criminal complaint said Southwick was caring for his two children on April 13. Police were called by the mother of the children, who said that Southwick had "trashed the apartment" while taking care of the children. The next day, police were notified that a 2-year-old had been admitted to Saint Marys Hospital with a broken arm. The doctor told officers the child had a double fracture consistent with a traumatic blunt force trauma.

When interviewed, Southwick reportedly said he had gotten upset and threw items. He said his son kept getting in the way and he told the boy to stay away from him and that he might have hit his son with a box of books, the complaint said. He reportedly said he did not see his son when he threw the box and that he stopped throwing things after his son was hit.