Dad found guilty of aggravated child abuse; fractured skull of 6-week-old son (Pasco, Florida)

Yet ANOTHER "home alone" dad. In fact, dad MAX MANCERO had been home alone with the baby for only ONE HOUR when he apparently got "frustrated" or whatever. Sounds like in addition to breaking the baby's skull, he sexually abused him. Though that's not spelled out here.

http://www2.tbo.com/news/pasco-news/2011/jun/23/pasco-father-guilty-of-aggravated-child-abuse-ar-239448/

Pasco father guilty of aggravated child abuse
By TODD LESKANIC | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 23, 2011


NEW PORT RICHEY -- Six-week old Christian Mancero was taken to a hospital in September 2007 with a V-shaped fracture that ran the length of his little skull.

His father, Max Mancero, had been home alone with the infant for about an hour. He told investigators Christian was hurt when he rolled off a bed. Investigators didn't believe him.

Neither did a Pasco County jury.

The panel of five men and one woman deliberated for nearly two hours today before finding Mancero guilty of aggravated child abuse. The 26-year-old faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 12; he has no prior criminal history.

The injuries Mancero inflicted on his son caused his brain to bleed and swell. He required two surgeries to reduce the swelling, said Assistant State Attorney Eva Vergos. A portion of Christian's brain tissue was damaged beyond repair.

Blood vessels in his retinas were also damaged and his genitals were bruised.

The child, now 3, lives with his mother, Beatrice Diaz. Because of his age, it's unclear how the damage will affect his development. He has had to undergo physical therapy to learn simple tasks such as lifting his head.

Medical experts for the prosecution testified the injuries could not have been caused by a fall from a 25-inch-high bed.

"Babies fall all the time," Vergos said in her closing argument. "But babies do not end up with permanent brain damage as a result of it."

Assistant Public Defender Willie Pura argued that investigators prejudged the case. In his closing, he called the state's medical experts "hired guns" who are only interested in convictions.

Edward Willey, a St. Petersburg-based pathologist who testified for the defense, said Christian had medical conditions that predisposed him to a serious injury.

"This has been a classic rush to judgment," Pura told the jury. "Don't fall for it."

Mancero and his son were at the family's home on Quist Drive in Port Richey on Sept. 10, 2007. Diaz had gone to run errands. When she returned, Mancero was holding Christian, who was screaming. The child's head was swelling.

Diaz and the child's paternal grandfather took Christian to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Mancero was arrested a week later.