"Babysitting" dad accused of child abuse; baby in critical condition after being "accidentally" dropped (Marion, Indiana)

Yet another working mom and "stay-at-home" (i.e. deadbeat unemployed) dad--with prior convictions for child abuse, no less.

Did anybody really believe that dad HANK PHILLIPS would turn out to be a model father? What we now have is a baby who was "accidentally" dropped who is now in critical condition. Yea, right. Accident, my foot.

Please, mamas. Unemployed felons do not make good babysitters. Avoid these guys if at all possible. Of course it would help if we had real maternity leaves in this country so mamas actually had a choice.

http://www.marionstar.com/article/20100908/NEWS01/9080304

Marion man accused of child abuse; infant hospitalized
BY JESSICA CUFFMAN • The Marion Star • September 8, 2010

MARION - An infant hospitalized Saturday after his father said he dropped him was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday, police said.

His father, Hank Phillips, 27, 1030 Congress St., was arrested for a parole violation Saturday after police began investigating the incident.

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a felony complaint of child endangering and felonious assault. Phillips' bond is $100,000.

The infant's mother took him to the hospital with injuries Saturday evening.

Phillips had sent her a text while she was at work that said he had accidentally dropped the baby. The mother left work and went home, saw the child's injuries on his neck and head and took him to the hospital, according to the police report.

The doctor who examined the infant said the injuries sustained could have come from being dropped, but likely weren't.

The infant was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital for further testing and treatment and was listed in critical condition as of press time, Lt. Jon Shaffer said.

Witnesses told police Phillips had prior convictions for child abuse.

In Wayne County, Ind., in October 2006, he was sentenced to prison for neglect of a dependent and served just more than two years, a records clerk with the Indiana Department of Corrections said.

He was released on court-ordered probation, but isn't on probation anymore in Indiana from that charge, she said.

Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Brent Yager confirmed Phillips is being supervised by the adult parole authority in Ohio for committing similar crimes in Indiana.

Details of the cases are being obtained, he said.

Police continue to investigate Phillips' criminal background. He has no previous criminal convictions in Marion city or county courts.

The mother of the child told police she and Phillips had been in a relationship for a few years and have one child together.

Upon questioning, she told police she had asked Phillips about redness she had seen around the baby's eye another day last week, and he said the baby accidentally scratched himself. Later, Phillips told her had accidentally dropped the baby then, too.

Marion County Children Services is investigating the case with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, Children Services Executive Director Eric Bush said.

MCCS is working with the child's family to protect two other children in the home, he said.