Dad arrested for abusing 3-month-old son; baby has extensive brusing, fractured ribs, and head injury (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Yet another short-tempered father brutalizes an infant for crying. Dad is identified as JOHN ERIC AUTEY.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/26825775/father-of-st-paul-3-month-old-charged-in-classic-child-abuse

Father of St. Paul 3-month-old charged in 'classic child abuse'

Posted: Oct 19, 2014 7:49 PM EDT Updated: Oct 19, 2014 7:49 PM EDT

by Shelby Capacio

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - A 45-year-old St. Paul man has been charged with two counts of malicious punishment of a child after a local doctor notified police that a 3-month-old boy in the ER appeared to be a victim of "classic child abuse."

The criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County late last week states that John Eric Autey brought his son to the emergency room the evening of April 23 and said the child had been vomiting since the day before. The doctor who examined the boy found extensive bruising on his chest wall that looked like fingers, fractured ribs, and a non-life-threatening hemorrhage in the boy's brain. When asked what happened, Autey said the boy fell from a bed.

The doctors at United and Children's Hospital in St. Paul didn't believe Autey was telling the whole story. Rather, St. Paul police were called in to take a child abuse report. When officers arrived, they spoke with a nurse and doctor who work for Midwest Children Resource Center -- a center that specializes in child physical and sexual abuse cases. The doctor said the boy's injuries were consistent with "classic child abuse," and the officers set out to speak with Autey.

Autey told police he was caring for the boy at his St. Paul home on April 21 when the child rolled off a bed. Autey added that he grabbed the boy while catching him from the fall and then rocked him to sleep. He further explained that he noticed bruising on the boy's chest the next day, and said the vomiting began the day after that. He also told police that his wife was in Mexico for business when the incident occurred.

Autey met a child protection worker in Ramsey County the following week, and during that meeting, he reportedly admitted his son's injuries were caused by shaking. The criminal complaint states that Autey became angry after the boy fell off a bed and would not stop crying, and he admitted to shaking the boy for 5 to 10 seconds before putting the child on the bed and leaving the room. He added that he knew what he did was wrong and felt like he was going to throw up.

If convicted on both counts, Autey could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.