Dad charged with assault, child abuse; 2-month-old daughter has severe bruises, broken bones (Salisbury, Maryland)

Dad TIMOTHY CHARLES WHITE has been charged with multiple counts of assault and child abuse after his 2-month-old daughter sustained severe bruises and broken bones. We're talking about 11 rib fractures in various states of healing (meaning Daddy had abused her before) and a broken leg. The baby also had damage to her tongue and liver. As usual, it's a case where Daddy was "frustrated" over the baby's crying.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100514/NEWS01/5140312/1002

Bruises, fractured ribs lead to charges against baby's father
Attorney expects child to make full recovery
By Sharahn D. Boykin • Staff Writer • May 14, 2010

SALISBURY -- A Willards man was charged with multiple counts of assault and child abuse after his 2-month-old daughter sustained severe bruises and broken bones, according to police.

Timothy Charles White, 25, of the 34800 block of Cobbs Road was taken into police custody after interviews with law enforcement investigators assigned to the Child Advocacy Center, according to charging documents.

White is being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond following a bail review hearing on Monday, according to court records.

"This is a serious physical abuse case," said Jamie Dykes, a Wicomico County assistant state's attorney assigned to the Child Advocacy Center. "Fortunately, it does not have the potential for significant, permanent harm as would a shaken baby case. We are hopeful for a full recovery."

If convicted of first-degree child abuse, White could face a 25-year prison sentence -- the maximum penalty in Maryland.

Peninsula Regional Medical Center employees contacted police after observing severe bruises on the infant's body, according to charging documents.

The baby was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for additional treatment, according to police.

X-rays showed she had 11 fractures to her ribs in addition to a broken lower left leg. The rib fractures were healing at different stages, so doctors suspect they occurred at different times.

Hospital personnel also discovered a tear on the bottom of the infant's tongue and damage to her liver, according to court documents.

"There is no accidental mechanism or medical diagnosis which would mimic this constellation of injuries," said Dr. Mitchell Goldstein, in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, according to charging documents. "The injuries are not from one event but represent multiple events of inflicted trauma."

The child has been discharged and is now in the custody of her mother, according to the State's Attorneys Office.

Investigators interviewed family members and individuals living in the household with the child. During an interview with police on May 6, White denied causing any intentional or accidental injuries to the infant according to charging documents.

The next day, during a second interview with police, White stated he had dropped the baby on the floor and later said he fell on top of her, according to court documents. He also demonstrated to police how he grabbed the infant by the chest and rib area and squeezed her hard with both hands when he became frustrated over the child's continuous crying.

A District Court hearing for White has been scheduled for early June.