Dad charged with felony child abuse for serious injuries to 4 1/2-month-old infant (Wahpeton, North Dakota)

Dad JONATHAN D. THOENNES has been charged with felony abuse or neglect of a child for "serious injuries" sustained by his 4 1/2-month-old infant.

http://www.wahpetondailynews.com/articles/2010/03/11/breaking_news/doc4b99533e1f8c8405599802.txt

Thoennes charged with felony child abuse or neglect

Published/Last Modified on Thursday, March 11, 2010 2:34 PM CST

Jonathan D. Thoennes, 19, Wahpeton, was arrested on the evening of March 9 at the Wahpeton Law Enforcement Center, and is being charged with the offense of abuse or neglect of a child, a Class B felony.

The arrest stems from an incident that occurred on March 1 during which a 4 1/2 month-old infant was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Healthcare Campus in Breckenridge, and later transported by Life Flight to MeritCare Hospital in Fargo. The child suffered from serious injuries, which attending medical personnel determined were consistent with the child having been physically abused.

An investigation conducted by the Wahpeton Police Department and Richland County Social Services led to the arrest of Thoennes, the father of the injured child.

Thoennes remains in custody in the Richland County Corrections Center. The maximum penalty for a Class B felony is 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both said fine and imprisonment.

Additional information concerning the identity and condition of the injured child are not being released.