Dad pleads guilty to abusing 1-month-old son; baby has permanent disabilities (Clarksville, Tennessee)

Dad is identified as MARCUS PHILIPS SR.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20140404/NEWS01/304040028/Clarksville-father-pleads-guilty-abuse-neglect-1-month-old-agrees-15-year-prison-sentence

Clarksville father pleads guilty to abuse, neglect of 1-month old, agrees to 15 year prison sentence

Apr. 4, 2014

Written by Tavia D. Green
Leaf-Chronicle

CLARKSVILLE, TENN. — A Clarksville man pleaded guilty to the neglect and abuse of his newborn son and agreed to a prison sentence.

Marcus Philips Sr., 26, was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect for knowingly neglecting his son in a way that caused serious bodily injury.

Philips pleaded guilty as charged and agreed to serve 15 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections at 100 percent, the minimum for aggravated child abuse.

On Sept. 23, 2013, Phillips’ son, Marcus Phillips, Jr., was taken to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital after sustaining a bilateral skull fracture and hemorrhaging.

Phillips told police the one-month-old baby rolled off of a bed and hit his head on a laptop.

Vanderbilt experts found that the infant’s injuries were inconsistent with the described injury. They concluded the injuries resulted from non-accidental trauma caused by significant force, according to Kimberly Lund, assistant district attorney.

As a result of his injuries, the child now suffers from Cerebral Palsy.

Phillips was scheduled to begin a jury trial at the end of the month.