Bail for primary caretaker dad accused of beating 4-month-old son (Attleboro, Massachusetts)

Familiar story. Dad is unemployed/unemployable for an unidentified "disability." But basically he's like a lot of other short-tempered dudes with no nurturing skills or empathy. All of this adds up to predictable results: a father who freaks out on a crying baby and beats him.

Dad is identified as RYAN ELLIS.

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/bail-for-attleboro-father-accused-of-beating--month-old/article_2238d586-a3cf-11e3-8eef-001a4bcf887a.html

Bail for Attleboro father accused of beating 4-month-old set at $50K cash

Posted: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 1:59 pm | Updated: 3:49 pm, Tue Mar 4, 2014.

BY DAVID LINTON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

ATTLEBORO — An Attleboro father charged with breaking his 4-month-old son’s leg was ordered held in jail on $50,000 cash bail today after a judge heard that doctors doubted his explanation for the injury.

Ryan Ellis, 22, of 14 Jackson St., Apt. 2, told police different stories about what happened to his son, including that he slipped from his shoulder as he was trying to burp the infant, according to police.

He pleaded innocent in Attleboro District Court to assault and battery on a child under 14 causing serious bodily injury.

But, Assistant District Attorney Erin Aiello argued that doctors treating the boy at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence said the right leg injury was consistent with twisting it enough to break it.

The boy, Tristan, remains hospitalized today and is wearing a cast, but is “doing well,” a family member told reporters.

According to prosecutors and court records, the boy suffered older injuries, including a brain injury that occurred about 72 hours before his leg was broken on Sunday, and a broken rib that has since mended.

When asked by Judge Daniel O’Shea, Aiello said the defendant is not charged with causing the prior injuries. Prosecutors “may not be able to pin that to the defendant,” she said.

The judge called the injuries “horrific.”

Aiello said Ellis takes care of the baby while his girlfriend, the mother of the child, works and goes to school. Because the boy fell once while the defendant fell asleep, Aiello said the mother insisted that her mother watch the baby with him. However, Ellis was alone with the child Sunday, the prosecutor said.

Police were called to the couple’s apartment on Jan. 14 after a resident on the first floor called police. The neighbor reported hearing the defendant yelling and swearing at the child and the sound of slapping.

“Shut the (expletive) up. Stop crying,” Aiello said, quoting the neighbor.

Another neighbor reported hearing “thumping” noises or something being dropped on the floor, according to the prosecutor. Police say they found nothing amiss when they performed a well-being check.

When the defendant called 911 on Sunday to report the leg injury, Aiello said Ellis did not sound alarmed by such a significant injury.

As he was being booked, according to police, Ellis asked how long he was going to be at the police station. He said: “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean to hurt my son,” according to a police report.

The state Department of Children and Families has taken temporary custody of the child, according to Aiello.

Ellis has no prior arrest record and is a 2011 graduate of Norton High School. He has family in Mansfield and works sometimes with his girlfriend’s father moving furniture for an auction company, his lawyer, Stella O’Leary said.

He and the child’s mother, Crystal Grenon, have been together for two years. “This is an unfortunate situation. The baby obviously has some injuries,” O’Leary said.

Grenon’s father, Joe Grenon, said he was shocked and confused about the allegations and about his grandson’s prior injuries. He said he did not know Ellis as a person capable of causing harm to the infant.

“Ryan’s a good kid. He works for me. I’ve seen him with his son. He has what it takes to be a great dad,” Grenon said.

“I believe what happened was just an accident. It’s being made out to be a lot more than what it really is,” he added.

He said Ellis has a disability and described him as a “klutz” at work. He said Ellis and his daughter have had issues with their landlord, one of the individuals who complained to police.

Ellis was arrested by Detective Sgt. Arthur Brillon after an investigation by himself, Patrolman James Malley and Detective Matthew Cook.

Ellis is due back in court for a probable cause hearing March 26.

Aiello said the charge against Ellis is a felony with no district court jurisdiction. She said the case will be recommended to go before a grand jury for indictment and prosecution in superior court.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.