Dad charged with felony child abuse; 8-week-old son has "life-threatening injuries" (Phoenix, Arizona)

Dad MAURICE AVERY BECKET is facing felony child abuse charges for an assault on his 8-week-old son. The baby has a skull fracture, and was in Daddy's "care" at the time of the injury.

http://www.kpho.com/story/15563441/infant-hospitalized-with-brain-injuries-father-charged-with-child-abuse

Infant hospitalized; father charged with child abuse
Posted: Sep 27, 2011 5:54 PM CDT
Updated: Sep 28, 2011 8:14 AM CDT
By Breann Bierman

PHOENIX (KPHO) - A Phoenix father is facing a felony charge of child abuse after his 8-week-old son was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Maurice Avery Beckett, 19, was arrested Tuesday and booked on the charges and released on a $50,000 bond.

The boy was taken to the hospital Sept. 9 with head injuries, including a skull fracture and internal bleeding, according to Maricopa County court records.

Authorities say both the boy's mother and father denied any knowledge of how the boy was hurt.

A forensic pediatrician determined the injuries were a result of blunt force trauma to the head, according to court records. The doctor determined the injuries happened within six to 12 hours of the time the victim was taken to the hospital.

Police said Beckett admitted to having sole care of the victim during that time but denied knowing what had caused the injuries.