Dad accused of critically injuring 7-week-old son (Louisville, Kentucky)

Dad is identified as JUAN LOPEZ ROSALES.

http://www.wlky.com/news/police-child-not-expected-to-survive-after-being-abused-by-father/26742622#!7jmB8

Father accused of critically injuring 7-week-old son

UPDATED 6:20 PM EDT Jul 01, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —A Louisville father was arrested and charged with abuse after taking his 7-week-old son to get help from doctors.

Police said the infant is critically injured and may not survive.

According to police, Juan Lopez Rosales and the child’s mother brought the child to an emergency care center. The baby was then transported from Norton Immediate Care Center to Kosair Children's Hospital. "

Apparently he had taken his 7-week-old infant son to the hospital when he noticed that he was pretty lethargic, shaking, having trouble with his eyes," said Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley.

According to hospital staff, the child has a skull fracture with a hematoma and is not expected to survive his injuries.

Initially Lopez Rosales said he found the baby on the sofa shaking with his eyes rolled back in his head.

"At some point he did finally admit to the officers that he had hit the child's head either against a wall or bathtub on at least two occasions," Smiley said. "Specifically what the circumstances were -- whether or not he was holding the child or literally swinging the child -- I'm not sure."

Police said Lopez Rosales also failed to provide immediate medical treatment when the baby was injured days earlier because the medical staff asked too many questions.

"So based on the fact that they were asking too many questions, he then would leave. Finally it just got to the point where he could just no longer ignore it," Smiley said.

Lopez Rosales was arrested Monday morning.

The homicide unit is investigating the case.

"We will have to await further details to see how the child, whether or not he progresses or improves," Smiley said.

Angela Lawhorn is Lopez Rosales' neighbor. She said she often sees his father and brother and is shocked by the accusation.

"We've been a neighbor with them for so long, it just seems out of character," she said.

Lopez Rosales is charged with criminal abuse and his bond is $100,000.

He's scheduled to appear in court again later this month.

Lopez Rosales' charge could be upgraded if the child dies. His translator said he is in the country on a visa from Mexico.

The mother of the child is not facing any charges.