Dad allegedly fractured skull of 6-week-old son for crying (Fort Myers, Florida)

The headline says "parents," but it seems the only one being investigated is dad JAMES JOSEPH TOLENTINO, who apparently fractured the skull of his 6-week-old son for crying.


http://www.news-press.com/article/20090728/SS08/90728034/1075




Fort Myers parents investigated after baby's skull is fractured
news-press.com • July 28, 2009

The Department of Children and Families is investigating the parents of a 6-week old boy after reports state that the father allegedly fractured the sobbing infant’s skull when he slammed it into a car seat.


The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested James Joseph Tolentino, 22, of Fort Myers on Monday.

The baby was flown to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Tolentino was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse and child neglect causing great harm.

DCF is looking into allegations of physical injury and inadequate supervision.

There are no prior abuse or neglect reports involving the parents, said Erin Gillespie, a department spokeswoman, declining to name the other parent.

Gillespie said DCF has noted an anecdotal increase in the severity of physical child abuse cases but those numbers aren’t tracked.

“We hear people say that they’re stressed out or the family doesn’t have any money or they’re on drugs,” she said.

She said younger parents can have a hard time coping with a crying baby.

“Young parents often don’t have the tools ... Most often, people don’t intend to injure the child or kill a child. They just don’t know how to cope.”

Gillespie said most child abuse cases involve excessive discipline. The child will not be released from the hospital without the department’s approval.