Dad charged with attempted murder of his 4-week-old daughter (Grand Forks, North Dakota)

Dad STEVEN PAUL KLEIN was charged with attempted murder of his four-week-old daughter after it was found that the baby was suffering from severe brain swelling, hemorrhaging, and contusions that were not consistent with an accident. Mom was not at home at the time of the "incident," but called 911 after she got home and found the baby unresponsive. Despite the mother's quick response, the baby is now in the legal custody of Grand Forks Social Services.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/124873/

GF father accused of causing daughter's severe head injuries
A Grand Forks father has been charged with attempted murder months after his 4-week-old daughter was airlifted to a Fargo hospital with severe head injuries.

By: Archie Ingersoll, Grand Forks Herald

A Grand Forks father has been charged with attempted murder months after his 4-week-old daughter was airlifted to a Fargo hospital with severe head injuries.

Steven Paul Klein, 35, is set to appear in court today to seek a reduction in his bail amount, which is set at $10,000.

Klein was arrested earlier this month after an investigation into an Aug. 24, 2008, call concerning an unresponsive baby girl at the Valley Ho mobile home park at 1823 N. Washington St.

The girl’s mother told detective Michael Iwan of the Grand Forks Police Department that she’d gone shopping for about three hours. “When she returned home, she knew something was wrong with her child ... so she called 911,” Iwan’s report states.

According to Iwan’s report: Klein told police he had heard his daughter make gurgling noises, but did not pay much attention to them. Klein told others he performed CPR on his daughter for about 30 minutes before the girl’s mother came home. He did not call for emergency personnel during those 30 minutes.

The girl was flown to MeritCare in Fargo where Dr. Arne Graff, a child abuse expert, examined her. Graff determined the girl was suffering from severe brain swelling, hemorrhaging and contusions. The doctor ruled that her head trauma was not an accident.

Graff told police Klein’s version of events does not explain how the girl received her injuries. The doctor also said the girl’s injuries would have been inflicted in the window of time when the girl was home alone with her father.

Iwan’s report says Klein “has refused to allow this officer to interview him regarding the injuries that his daughter sustained.”

Prosecutor Meredith Larson, who is trying the case, said the girl is now in the custody of Grand Forks Social Services.

The girl's injuries, which will have a long-term affect on her, were not inconsistent with having been shaken, Larson said.

Klein has been technically charged with attempted murder or child abuse.

"I’m just asserting that there’s probable cause for either charge," Larson said, adding that Klein will ultimately face one charge in this case.

The maximum prison time for attempted murder is 20 years; the maximum for child abuse is 10 years.

Klein is slated for a preliminary hearing on July 22. He remains in custody at the Grand Forks County jail.

A message left for Klein’s attorney, Public Defender Rebecca McGurran, was not immediately returned this afternoon.