Dad charged with aggravated battery for injuries sustained by 2-month-old son; baby has fractured femur, ribs (Chicago, Illinois)

Dad RODNEY BLANCHARD has been charged with aggravated battery of a child for injuries sustained by his 2-month-old son.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/10/father-charged-for-infants-injuries.html

West Side dad charged with injuring infant
October 18, 2009 8:04 PM

Officials charged a West Side father early this morning with fracturing his infant son's femur and ribs, police said.

Rodnell Blanchard, 25, of the 1700 block of North Mango Avenue, was charged with one count of aggravated battery of a child, said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.

Blanchard's 2-month-old son was taken Saturday by authorities from the 4800 block of West Concord Place in the Austin neighborhood, said Kubiak. The infant was transported to West Suburban Medical Center and later transferred to the University of Illinois Medical Center for treatment. The child was found to have "extensive" injuries, police said.

Blanchard admitted to police that he caused the injuries by grabbing his son's legs and twisting them, Kubiak said. The infant was discovered to have a fractured femur and ribs, she said.

Blanchard is scheduled to appear in bond court later today.

-- Deanese Williams-Harris