"Frustrated" dad admits to shaking 6-week-old son for crying; baby has permanent brain damage (St. Paul, Minnesota)

After "frustrated" dad JEFFREY ALLEN DAVID admitted in court to shaking his 4-month-old son, causing permanent brain damage, it is expected that he will serve 4 years in prison. The mother is outraged. But this sentence is typical of the ones handed down to abusive fathers.

As usual, we have a case where mom was working and dad had "caretaking" duties. Too bad moms don't have decent maternity leaves in this country--mothers of babies this young shouldn't be forced to leave their babies with violently tempered men because of workforce responsibilities.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_17007815?source=most_viewed&nclick_check=1

St. Paul father admits he shook infant son; head moved 'like a bobble-head doll'
By Emily Gurnon
egurnon@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 01/04/2011 05:51:39 PM CST

Jeffrey Allen Davis A St. Paul man frustrated by his baby's screaming admitted that he shook the child so hard he caused the infant permanent brain damage.

Jeffrey Allen Davis, 33, said that the shaking lasted 10 to 15 seconds, and that the boy's head moved "back and forth" several times.

He pleaded guilty in Ramsey County court today to malicious punishment of a child, a charge likely to yield a four-year prison sentence.

"I didn't know what I was doing," Davis said as he sat in the witness chair. He cried and lowered his head to his hand.

In a statement to police after the March 15 incident, he told them his 6-week-old son Liam's head moved "like a bobble-head doll."

Prosecutor Juan Hoyos told the court that Liam's 22-year-old mother, who was not present today, wanted more prison time for Davis than he will likely get.

"She feels that this defendant has murdered her child, even though he technically is not dead," Hoyos said.

He said Liam suffered permanent brain injury, including damage to his eyesight. Davis said during questioning that he had heard the boy's eyesight was "coming back."

According to the criminal complaint against Davis, he had been alone with the baby at the couple's apartment that morning, having worked the night before. The boy's mother was at work. Davis was exhausted and wanted to sleep.

Liam woke up about 10:30 a.m. Davis gave him a bottle. He woke up again at 1:30 p.m. and Davis could not get him to settle down.

He told police that he was lifting the boy up and down, over his head, and kissing his forehead, but that they bumped heads violently. He did not initially mention shaking the boy. About 4 p.m., he told police, he called Children's Hospital. Staff there told him to call 911.

He later told police that he became so frustrated his hands were trembling, and that he shook Liam too hard.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 25. Davis's attorney, Ryan Garry, told Judge Salvador Rosas that he would ask for less prison time than that called for under state guidelines.

Emily Gurnon can be reached at 651-228-5522.