Infant son goes home as dad awaits trial for slamming baby's head into the floor (Wayne County, Michigan)

Yet another case of a violent babysitting dad who assaulted the baby while Mom was stuck working. Dad is identified as ANTHONY SEWEJKIS. Notice that Daddy did nothing about getting his infant son medical care. That had to wait till Mom got home from work.

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120304/NEWS03/203040409

Baby goes home as dad waits for May trial

Mar. 4, 2012

Written by Darrell Clem
Observer Staff Writer

Canton baby Hunter Sewejkis, who spent 11 weeks in a hospital following charges his father abused him by slamming his head against a floor, has been released to stay at the home of his maternal grandfather, Sal Alongi.

The latest development comes as Hunter's father, 25-year-old Anthony Sewejkis, faces a possible 15-year prison term if convicted of first-degree child abuse during a jury trial scheduled for May 8 in Wayne County Circuit Court.

Hunter, referred to by Alongi as “our little miracle baby” for defying earlier expectations he wouldn't survive, was released Feb. 21 from the University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Alongi, his wife Theresa Alongi and his stepdaughter, Stephanie Babbitt, have cared for Hunter using equipment such as feeding tubes the hospital sent home with them. Hunter's mother, Leanne Garlick, also has made visits to her child.

Alongi and his wife live in Belleville.

“Right now, Hunter is in our custody,” Alongi said, adding that Hunter continues to slowly improve despite occasional setbacks.

Slow improvement

“He's definitely happier (after leaving the hospital),” Alongi said. “He's starting to smile quite often now and make some of the normal baby sounds that most babies make.”

Hunter, now 7 months old, was a mere 4 months old when his father was accused of abusing him at their home on Michigan Avenue, while Hunter's mother was at work. Authorities have said Hunter suffered severe injuries when his head was struck against a carpet-covered hardwood floor.

“I messed up bad,” a tearful Sewejkis said Dec. 9 during his arraignment in 35th District Court on a charge of first-degree child abuse charge.

Some of Sewejkis's relatives have said they don't believe he would have intentionally hurt Hunter.

Meanwhile, Alongi said Hunter now weighs just over 19 pounds. Garlick, who came home from work to find her baby injured, has said in court that Hunter's head looked “uneven, slanted.”

Family hopeful

Alongi said Hunter has improved, though his long-term prognosis isn't known. The family is hopeful the baby will rebound from brain damage cited by doctors.

“His head is starting to take the shape of a normal baby, except for the back of his head,” Alongi said. “He is gaining strength each day.”

Alongi's wife has taken a leave of absence from her job, and the family has taken shifts caring for little Hunter.

“It's very hard, to be honest,” Alongi said. “He requires a lot of constant attention.”

Anyone who wants to make donations for Hunter's expenses, including those not covered by insurance, may give to a trust fund set up through TCF bank branches.

So much remains unknown. To what extent will Hunter recover? What will be his father's fate?

Yet one aspect of Hunter's life is known, Alongi said: “He's a little fighter.”