Dad is identified as JAY MINOR.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20140515/NEWS/140519827/1291/news?p=1&tc=pg
Abused 1-month-old clings to life as father faces charges
Mother 'can't believe this would happen'
One-month-old Jerry Wade Lee Minor has been hospitalized with multiple skull fractures, broken bones and bruises. Jay Minor, the baby's father, was jailed May 14, 2014, on charges of assault and aggravated child abuse.
By Stephanie Taylor Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 6:07 p.m.
Tina Minor may never hear her son cry again.
The 1-month-old infant has been hospitalized with multiple skull fractures, broken bones and bruises to his tiny body for just more than a week. But he hasn't cried once.
"We asked why, and the doctors said that he can't," said Princess Hall, Tina's mother and the grandmother of little Jerry. "They said that his brain is so damaged that he won't be able to."
The baby's cries after waking from a nap on May 6 are what family members believe prompted a violent reaction from his father. Jay Minor initially told family members that he caused the injuries when he fell on the baby. He does have a bad knee, his mother-in-law said. Investigators and family members no longer believe him.
X-rays and interrogations convinced them to believe that the injuries were intentional. Minor, 37, was jailed Wednesday on charges of assault and aggravated child abuse.
"I feel like a tornado went through my family," Tina Minor said. "I'm so hurt."
Minor, 30, sobbed as she talked about her son. She wasn't able to visit him Wednesday. She doesn't have a reliable car and has had to ask friends and family members for rides to the hospital in Birmingham.
"I just can't believe that this would happen. I never would have thought anyone would do something like this," she said.
Hall said that the infant seems to be improving, and that he could be moved out of intensive care. His injuries are still life-threatening, though, and he remained in intensive care at Children's of Alabama on Thursday.
He's breathing on his own, except for a little tube they've got in his nose," she said. 'They've still got a feeding tube, he won't be able to take a bottle. They told us today after looking at some X-rays that he may have tried to break his leg before."
"He's got a long road to travel, but he's holding on," Hall said. "If he makes it through this, his brain function will never be what it would have been."
Jerry Wade Lee Minor was born on April 6, weighing around 7 pounds and with a full head of dark hair. He has an older half-brother, Mason, a 17-month old from Tina's previous relationship. Mason will remain in his grandmother's custody for the foreseeable future, Hall said.
Tina Minor, Jay Minor and the children lived with her mother at a mobile home on Hagler-Coaling Road. The Minors married on Valentine's Day after dating for about a year. Minor said that their relationship is over.
"He will never be welcome here again," Hall said. "I would have never thought he would do something like this. I'd like to take him out and beat him the same way he beat that baby."
Hall and Tina Minor were outside with Mason the day they believe the abuse occurred. Jay Minor and Jerry were napping in a bedroom at the other end of the mobile home while they sat on a swing and played with the toddler.
"The baby must have woken up crying and he started to beat him," Tina Minor said. She called Northport Medical Center when the baby wouldn't focus or eat.
"We noticed that his eyes were rolling back in his head. I sat in the back seat with him on the way to the hospital and he had three seizing spells. I put my hand on his chest and could feel his heart beating so fast."
Hall said that a friend made a prayer blanket that they placed next to Jerry Wednesday while several people gathered around and prayed for his recovery.
"There have been a lot of prayers going out," she said. "I just hope the good Lord will heal him."
