Dad charged after 2-month-old baby suffers brain hemorrhages, broken ribs (Salisbury, Maryland)

Dad JAMES A. KING III has been charged with child abuse, assault, and restless endangerment for injuries suffered by his 2-month-old daughter. Poor daddy said he just "lost it" because he was arguing with the baby's mother. As a result, this little baby was inflicted with brain hemorrhages, retinal damage, and broken ribs. Sick.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100923/NEWS01/9230370/1002/news01/Father-charged-with-shaking-baby

Father charged with shaking baby
2-month-old suffers brain hemorrhages
By Sharahn D. Boykin • Staff Writer • September 23, 2010

SALISBURY -- A 19-year-old Salisbury man has been charged with child abuse after his 2-month-old baby suffered brain hemorrhages, according to court documents.

James A. King III of East Vain Street was charged with multiple counts of child abuse, assault and reckless endangerment after taking a lie-detector test and admitting to authorities that he shook the child twice.

The most serious of the charges, first-degree child abuse, is a felony in Maryland and carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

In early September, the infant was treated at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where doctors determined she suffered a brain hemorrhage. The infant was later transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where doctors found she had two brain hemorrhages, five fractured ribs and retinal bleeding, according to court documents.

The baby has been released from Johns Hopkins and has been prescribed seizure medication, according to charging documents.

The infant is currently in the care of family members.

Initially when questioned by police, King and the baby's mother denied having any knowledge of what led to her injuries, but both agreed to take a polygraph test, according to court records.

The lie-detector test was administered Friday by an agent from the U.S. Secret Service at the request of local police, according to charging documents.

During the test, King told the Secret Service agent that he shook the baby on Aug. 30 and Sept. 2.

King told police that money problems, arguments with the infant's mother -- who is also his girlfriend -- and the baby continuously crying drove him to shake the child.

"He lost it and just shook her," wrote Salisbury police officer Donna Marie Dubas in charging documents.

King is being held on $300,000 bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center. A District Court hearing is scheduled for mid-October.