Dad charged with felony abuse against 4-month-old daughter; baby has permanent brain damage (Atchinson, Kansas)

Notice that there is no mention of the mother in the story, and that the abuse took place in what was identified as the father's (not the parents') home. Could this have been a custody/visitation situation? It often is with parents this young.

Dad is identified as BRETT WADE BETTS.

http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/article_8073e798-428f-5c21-b3cd-d43f8eaf8ccd.html

Atchison father arrested for shaking infant

Posted: Thursday, February 20, 2014 2:57 pm | Updated: 10:04 pm, Thu Feb 20, 2014.

By Mary Meyers Atchison Globe

ATCHISON, Kan. — A shaken baby girl remains hospitalized in Kansas City with permanent brain injury police say was inflicted by her 20-year-old father.

Brett Wade Betts, of Atchison, was arrested Thursday morning and faces two felony counts for abuse of a child and aggravated battery.

Atchison County Attorney Jerry Kuckelman filed the complaint soon after Mr. Betts’ arrest. The complaint alleges on or about Feb. 10, Mr. Betts shook his 4-month-old daughter in a way that caused great bodily harm, permanent brain damage and disfigurement.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said that the shaking occurred Feb. 12 at Mr. Betts’ residence in Atchison. Investigative findings indicated the baby girl — referred to only as M.B. — was transported from her residence by ambulance on Feb. 13 to Atchison Hospital. She was subsequently transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital in wake of her brain injury.

The abuse was reported to Atchison police on Feb. 14 by officials from the Kansas Department of Children and Family Services, as well as representatives from Children’s Mercy Hospital. The report immediately initiated an investigation, Wilson said.

Mr. Betts was booked at Atchison County Jail, where he remains in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Mr. Kuckelman said he was scheduled for the 9 a.m. criminal docket today in Atchison County District Court. Mr. Kuckelman said he anticipated an attorney would be appointed to represent Mr. Betts during the court action.

According to the person felony scale in Kansas, a level one ranks as the most severe and level 10 is considered to be the least severe. The count of abuse of a child filed against Mr. Betts is categorized as a level 5 person felony and the aggravated battery charge is a level 4 person felony.