Dad charged in newborn son's death admits hitting him for being "fussy" (Portland, Oregon)

Dad GABRIEL NICHOLAS PHELPS admits that he hit his newborn son "hard in the stomach because he was fussy." Dad is currently charged with murder by abuse in the baby's death. Another case where Mom was working while Daddy was busy assaulting the baby.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/07/father_charged_in_infants_deat.html

Father charged in infant's death admitted hitting him, affidavit says
Published: Wednesday, July 07, 2010, 10:33 AM
Updated: Wednesday, July 07, 2010, 10:36 AM
The Oregonian

The father of a 29-day-old infant who died Thursday at a Northeast Portland home admitted hitting the baby hard in the stomach because he was fussy, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

An autopsy showed the baby, Jacoby Phelps, died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen, the affidavit said. The trauma caused several lacerations to the baby's liver, causing the child to bleed to death internally. The autopsy also found numerous bruises "of varying ages" on the infant, including on his eye, torso and on knees.

Police on Saturday arrested his father, Gabriel Nicholas Phelps, 20. He faces a charge of murder by abuse.

Initially, the father told police that he and the baby were at his parents' house while the baby's mother, Sarah Phelps, was working. After feeding the baby, Gabriel Phelps said he laid the baby on the bed. He said he returned a few minutes later to find that Jacoby was having trouble breathing. He said he started CPR while his mother called 911.

In a later interview, Phelps admitted that he hit the baby in the stomach, which caused the trauma to the liver, the affidavit said. He also admitted he bruised the baby's knees by pressing his thumbs against them while pushing the baby's legs up to his stomach.

Phelps said the baby's mother has "repeatedly told him to be gentler with the baby," the affidavit states.

-- The Oregonian