Point of fact: the child abuse literature suggests that vast majority of abdominal injuries of this type are caused by fathers and boyfriends. About 45% are fatal, just as this one nearly was: http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2009/09/research-in-child-abuse-and-neglect_7795.html
http://www.columbian.com/article/20091109/NEWS02/711109985/Bail+set+for+father+accused+of+assault
Bail set for father accused of assault
Friends and family turn out to support suspect
Monday, November 9 5:00 p.m.
BY LAURA MCVICKER
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER
A former U.S. Marine made his first appearance in court Monday on suspicion of assaulting his 5-month-old daughter to the point that she nearly died last week due to internal bleeding and lack of oxygen.
The baby was rushed to Southwest Washington Medical Center Tuesday morning after she was found with a bruised abdomen and was vomiting blood. She was later transferred to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
The baby’s condition was not immediately available Monday afternoon.
Her father, Ryan Buck Kannegaard, 24, of Vancouver was arrested Friday on suspicion of first-degree assault of a child.
In court Monday, defense attorney David McDonald and Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson painted much different pictures of what caused the baby’s injuries.
McDonald said the girl was hurt when her 3-year-old sister jumped on her while the baby was seated in a beanbag chair. He said there was no evidence the father was responsible for the injuries.
Jackson said the baby suffered a blunt force assault and that there was evidence of past abuse.
"Doctors discovered older injuries — a fractured rib," Jackson said. "Doctors don’t buy that it was done by a 3-year-old." He asked the judge to set bail at $1 million.
Superior Court Judge John Wulle decided on a lesser $100,000 bail.
Arraignment was set for Dec. 1.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed by Deputy Prosecutor Kim Farr, mother Lydia Kannegaard left the baby with her husband Monday afternoon and went to work. She said she didn’t notice any bruising.
When she arrived home early Tuesday, Lydia Kannegaard checked on her sleeping daughter and discovered the injuries.
Doctors performed tests and found the baby had fluid in her abdomen and damage to her bowels. She also had several bruises on her stomach and inner thigh, according to the affidavit.
One doctor said the baby "was at a high risk of dying as a result of the injury and (the injury) was most definitely life threatening," the affidavit said. The doctor "also said the rest of her organs run the risk of shutting down due to the injury."
When questioned by investigators, Ryan Kannegaard said he was cooking dinner when the baby was injured. He heard a loud scream and dashed into the living room to find his 3-year-old, who had been running around the room, on top of the baby.
A doctor later told investigators the story wasn’t plausible, saying a 3-year-old couldn’t have caused such serious injuries.
Monday, a number family and friends of Ryan Kannegaard showed up to court to support him.
"I have 20 people back there," McDonald said, gesturing toward the back of the courtroom. "All of them testify to his credibility."
Kannegaard was honorably discharged from the military and is now a full-time Clark College student. He has no criminal record, his attorney said.
