Dad accused of assaulting 2-month-old son; baby has life-threatening injuries (Groton, Connecticut)

Dad is identified as JORDAN RITTENHOUSE.

http://www.wfsb.com/story/26396275/pd-groton-father-accused-of-assaulting-2-month-old-son

Groton father, Navy sailor accused of assaulting 2-month-old son

Posted: Aug 28, 2014 3:15 PM EDT Updated: Aug 28, 2014 10:18 PM EDT
By Kaitlyn Naples
By Joseph Wenzel IV, News Editor
By Kim Lucey

GROTON, CT (WFSB) - A 2-month-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries after police responded to the report of a possible child abuse incident on Tuesday.

The child is being treated at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, and the boy's father is being charged with risk of injury to a minor and first-degree assault.

Police have arrested 24-year-old Jordan Rittenhouse of 53 Deerwood Dr., Groton.

Rittenhouse is a student at Naval Submarine School and his current rank is Seaman, according to Navy Public Affairs. He entered the Navy in November of 2013 from Rockwell, NC, and reported to Naval Submarine School in January of 2014.

Police said they have not been called to the home before. As of Thursday afternoon, police said the baby was still alive, but not doing well.

Shock and sadness is spreading through a tight-knit Groton neighborhood made up of those dedicating their lives to service on a submarine, just a few streets away from the base.

"Total shock, I have two little ones so I could never imagine that happening to them," said neighbor Ty Callands. "The submarine force is really a tight-knit family. They're there to help you, the people there are all your supervisors, your shipmates, they're always there to help."

Neighbors said Rittenhouse is a husband and has a daughter in addition to the 2-month-old, and the boy's mother has reportedly spent every moment at the hospital with her son.

While some neighbors said the family has been nothing but warm and welcoming, others said they were startled to see Rittenhouse's temper flare just a few months ago.

"The daughter grabbed a toy or a bucket or a shovel, he didn't like that, grabbed it very angry, like the kid kind of backed away scared," said neighbor Misty Lewis, who said when she noticed that incident she made her presence known and Rittenhouse calmed down.

Navy Public Affairs could not comment on allegations against Rittenhouse or his current status with the Navy.

Eyewitness News reached out to the Navy's public affairs officers for comments, but calls have not been returned yet.

Rittenhouse is being held on a $300,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.