Dad charged with felony child abuse of 18-month-old son; boy in critical condition (Pascagoula, Mississippi)

Dad is identified as MATTHEW WARREN BARIA.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/01/sheriff_big_point_father_accus.html

Sheriff says Big Point father injured his child; baby clings to life in Mobile
Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 12:08 PM
Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 12:18 PM
By Cherie Ward - The Mississippi Press ThFollow 6

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- An 18-month-old child is in critical condition with multiple injuries and Sheriff Mike Byrd said investigators believe the boy's father is to blame.

Jackson County investigators arrested Matthew Warren Baria, 34, of Big Point, on Tuesday and charged him on a felony child abuse offense, Byrd said.

"That baby is in bad shape," Byrd said. "It will be a miracle if he survives."

Baria was arrested in connection to deputies responding to his Carters Road home for a medical emergency involving his son late Thursday night, Byrd said.

"Something about his story just didn't add up," Byrd said.

The sheriff said Baria told investigators his son fell from his crib and hit the floor.

"But, there is no way that baby could have fallen out of the crib and had the injuries he has," Byrd said.

Byrd said the child had a severe head injury and was immediately airlifted to the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile.

Byrd said the infant also had choke marks around his neck and bruising all over his body," Byrd said.

"You don't get choke marks around your neck falling from a crib," Byrd said.

Byrd said doctors had to remove a portion of the infant's skull to relieve brain swelling.

"The child is currently in very critical condition." Byrd said. "A sibling, a 3 year old child, was also removed from the home and is in state Department of Human Service's custody."

Byrd said the reason the older child was removed from the house is the children's mother was not home when investigators arrested Baria.

"She was at her father's house," Byrd said, noting the couple is married. He said the children's mother has been cleared from wrongdoing by investigators.

"The older child could be released back to her custody," Byrd said. "It just sickens me when I see a child treated like this."

Baria is currently in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center pending a bail hearing. The charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison and $10,000 fine.

"And we're going to push for the maximum penalty," Byrd said. "We're going to push for life."