Dad accused of breaking legs of 6-month-old son for crying (Granite City, Illinois)

Mom has lost custody to CPS though she apparently isn't charged with anything. Dad is identified as MATTHEW BARNETT.

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/03/matthew_barnett_granite_city_battery.php

Matthew Barnett: Granite City Dad Accused of Breaking Six-Month-Old Son's Legs

By Sam Levin Tue., Mar. 19 2013 at 2:00 PM

Today in terrible parenting news, we bring you the case of Matthew Barnett, a 24-year-old Granite City father who, police say, badly injured his six-month-old child.

On Friday at around 1:40 a.m, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services alerted the Madison County Sheriff's Office to a child being treated for trauma at a St. Louis area hospital. The infant had suffered multiple leg fractures and bruising to his body -- and an investigation, officials say, revealed the father was responsible.

Why? Apparently the baby was crying.

Authorities met with the father and mother of the infant as part of an investigation that revealed "Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the child was crying, which caused the fractures," the Madison County Sheriff's Office says in its announcement yesterday of his arrest.

Officials say that incident happened on Tuesday, a week ago, when the father was reportedly alone with the child.

The infant, however, was not taken to the hospital until the early morning hours of March 15 -- several days later.

The dad, charged with aggravated battery of a child, was taken into custody after the investigation and was detained in a Madison County jail pending a formal review. Bond was set at $100,000.

Meanwhile the child was placed in protective custody by the Illinois Children and Family Services Department. The infant currently remains in the care of the hospital and is expected to recover from the injuries. Madison County Sheriff's Office

Here's the full announcement from Madison County:

The following individual was charged today in Madison County Circuit Court with a felony charge of AGGRAVATED BATTERY OF A CHILD:

MATTHEW E. BARNETT
MALE
AGE: 24
601 E. CHAIN OF ROCKS ROAD
GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS

On Friday, March 15, 2013, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the Madison County Sheriff's Office was advised by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (D.C.F.S.) that a six month old child, from Madison County, was being treated for non accidental trauma at a St. Louis area hospital. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office responded to the hospital and conducted an investigation. 

Investigators determined the child was being treated for multiple leg fractures and bruising to his body. Investigators met with and interviewed the parents of the child. The investigation revealed that the child's father, Matthew E. Barnett was responsible for fractures to his son's legs.

The injuries reportedly occurred during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, March 12, 2013, while Barnett was alone with the child. The investigation revealed Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the child was crying, which caused the fractures.

The child was not taken to the hospital until the early morning hours of March 15, 2013, where the injuries were discovered. Investigators found no evidence linking the mother to the injuries.

Barnett was taken into custody during the early morning hours of Friday, March 15, 2013. Barnett was detained in the Madison County Jail pending a formal review of facts by the Madison County States Attorney's Office.

The child was placed in protective custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service. The child remains in the care of a St. Louis area hospital and is expected to recover from the injuries. 

The warrant and information were issued by the Honorable Judge James Hackett. Bond was set at $100,000.00.