Dad accused of shaking 3-month-old son for crying; baby in vegetative state (Lakeland, Florida)

Dad TYLON TULLY was irritable, you know, maybe from his oxycodone addiction. When he doesn't have his fix, he gets "nasty"--by his own admission. And now because Daddy had a "bad mood," this baby is in a permanent vegetative state. Where was Mom when Daddy was violently "rocking" the baby for 10-12 minutes? Who knows, no mention of her at all. It's as if she never existed. The baby is now in foster care.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20110414/NEWS/110419681?Title=Police-Dad-Caused-Son-s-Brain-Damage-by-Shaking

Police: Dad Caused Son's Brain Damage by ShakingBy Matthew Pleasant
THE LEDGER

Published: Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 9:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 9:55 p.m.

LAKELAND | A 22-year-old father is accused of inflicting permanent brain damage on his infant son by shaking the crying child's car seat out of frustration.

Tylon Tully, of 929 N. Gilmore Ave., in Lakeland, told Lakeland police officers he is addicted to oxycodone and was illegally purchasing medication when he shook his son's car seat.

His son, Romeo Tully, who is 3 months old, is in a vegetative state, police said. He can breath without help from machines, but doesn't respond to stimulus and is fed through a tube.

Tully was charged Thursday with aggravated child abuse by intentional infliction of physical harm and was booked into the Polk County Jail. He works as a stock clerk.

Officers have been investigating Romeo's injuries since they occurred Feb. 9. Police said Tully told officers he was irritated with the child's crying and rocked his car seat in a "rough" manner for 10 to 12 minutes.

Romeo's head bounced in the seat without a head guard and he lost consciousness. The child was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment and is now being cared for in a foster home for children in need of specialized care, according to police.

"He will never fully recover," said Sgt. Terri Smith, police spokeswoman.

Tully told officers when he doesn't take oxycodone he becomes "nasty and twitches and has a bad attitude," according to his arrest affidavit.