Dad pleads guilty to severely abusing 3-month-old son; newborn had 19 bone fractures (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Dad is identified as DAVID JOSEPH STEIGER.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/01/sparta_father_pleads_to_accusa.html

Sparta father pleads to accusations he abused 3-week-old child causing 19 fractures

By Barton Deiters on January 13, 2014 at 1:20 PM, updated January 13, 2014 at 1:27 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Sparta man accused of child abuse so severe it left his newborn son with 19 bone fractures now faces as much as 10 years in prison.

David Joseph Steiger pleaded no contest Monday, Jan. 13, in Kent County Circuit Court to one count of first-degree child abuse.

The charges came June 30 when Steiger and his now-estranged wife brought 3-week-old Jaxon to a hospital after the infant would not stop crying.

Doctors say the child's femur and tibia in his left leg were broken and doctors also discovered 17 other fractures on the boy, according to police.

Sparta police investigated the child’s home on Gunn Street and interviewed Steiger who allegedly admitted to “pushing” the baby’s legs and hearing a "pop."

Steiger, 20, allegedly told police the infants legs did not move right after that.

Investigators say Steiger also said the boy fell off a couch.

"Defendant admitted he could have caused the injuries, however he blacked out," a police investigator wrote in an affidavit.

Steiger told police that he and his wife were the child's only caregivers and claimed his wife was not responsible for any injuries, according to court records.

Steiger’s wife filed for divorce in Kent County Family Court on Oct. 31.

State sentencing guidelines call for a minimum sentence of two to four years in prison with a maximum of 10 years behind bars.

If Judge Donald Sullivan exceeds the minimum called for by the guidelines, Steiger can withdraw his plea and send the case to trial.

Steiger is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 4. He remains in the Kent County Jail.