Dad hits 1-month-old son, causing skull fracture (Rexburg, Idaho)

Father KURT DANIEL GUM has admitted to ramming the head of his newborn son into a door jam, and on another day slamming the baby's head onto the wooden arm of a couch, causing a skull fracture. His wife pleaded for mercy (some moms are MUCH too nice, but then maybe she's just afraid), but the judge didn't buy it, given that Dad has never apologized for his actions. Gum is sentenced to serve 2 - 7 years in prison, and is supposed to take "parenting" and "anger management" classes while he is there (classes that are largely regarded by experts in family violence as a total waste of time and resources when it comes to violent offenders).

http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=10629292

Father Sentenced to Prison for Hurting Infant Son
Posted: July 1, 2009 05:51 PM CDT
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Father Sentenced to Prison for Hurting Infant Son

By Suzanne Hobbs
A father charged with an unthinkable crime against his newborn baby is sentenced Wednesday morning for what he did.

Twenty-six year old Kurt Daniel Gum of Rexburg was arrested in April on two felony counts of injury to a child. He's admitted to hitting his one month old baby's head on two separate days and causing a skull fracture.

Since then, he pleaded guilty to one on those charges and now he knows his fate.

Despite the injuries Kurt Gum inflicted on his little boy, his wife is standing behind him saying he's not a bad man and the family needs to heal. His wife Jessica asked the judge to keep her husband out of prison but the judge didn't agree.

Kurt Gum was hopeful that he would be placed on probation and never see the inside of a prison cell. But that's not what Judge Darren Simpson ordered.

Several months ago, Gum hurt his one month old son by ramming is head into a door jam. On another day, he admits to slamming the child's head onto the mostly wooden arm of a couch, causing a skull fracture.

Gum's public defender, Jim Archibald, said his client has no prior criminal record, and since his arrest, spent 46 days in the Madison County Jail.

Kurt pleaded guilty using the Alford Plea, which means that he maintains his innocence but knows that if the case went to trial, he's likely be convicted based on the evidence.

This judge said he didn't think Gum has fully accepted responsibility by using the Alford Plea, and noted that Gum never apologized in court to his wife and the child her hurt.

Jim Archibald: "I think that's part of his Alford Plea as well. It's difficult for him to acknowledge that he did this to his son and he wanted to plead guilty, he wanted to accept responsibility, but it's difficult for him to admit that he intentionally hurt a child."

Madison County Prosecutor Sid Brown asked for a prison sentence of two to eight years. Serious punishment for a serious crime against an innocent child.

Sid Brown: "We're just lucky the child was not injured sufficiently to kill the child. We've seen that happen so many times and with either death or permanent brain injuries and hopefully in this case there won't be any lasting injuries to this child."

Judge Simpson ordered Gum to serve at least two and up to seven years in prison. He will first go on the rider program in northern Idaho for up to six months.

Kurt Gum told the judge that he made a terrible mistake in hurting his baby and he wants to make it right.

Kurt Gum: "I did something wrong. I wish to make it right, no matter the cost. It was never my intention to hurt anyone.... Prison won't help, it will just prolong it. I know justice needs to be served. I am willing if it comes to that, but I plead to get a second chance to prove my self worth. I'm scared, I've never been so scared in my life... I promise you that it's never going to happen again."

After his Cottonwood rider is over in 120 to 180 days, the judge will hold another hearing to determine if he's eligible for probation, or should serve more time in prison. The judge said while in prison Gum needs to take parenting as well as anger management classes.