Dad charged with 1st-degree assault for severely injuring 3-month-old son; baby may have permanent brain damage (Blaine, Minnesota)

Yet another "frustrated" young father who f***ed up. This one is identified as BRANDON JOSEPH KUSCHINSKI.

http://abcnewspapers.com/2014/10/31/blaine-father-accused-of-child-abuse/

Blaine father accused of child abuse

By Eric Hagen October 31, 2014 at 2:15 pm

A Blaine father is being accused in Anoka County District Court of severely injuring his 3-month-old son.

Brandon Joseph Kushinski, 23, was arraigned Oct. 17 on two felony charges of first-degree assault and malicious punishment of a child. His next court appearance is Nov. 12.

According to the criminal complaint, the Blaine Police Department Oct. 1 were alerted to an alleged abuse of a 3-month-old boy who had been brought to the hospital on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

The mother told police that her child had vomited the morning of Sept. 30. She stayed home from work that day and later took her child to the hospital when his symptoms did not improve. The child was treated with IV fluids and sent home in the early morning hours of Oct. 1. She went to work and her husband called her about 6 p.m. to say their son had just vomited and they were on their way to the hospital. Kushinski called 911 at 5:54 p.m., according to the complaint.

Dr. Mark Hudson of the Midwest Children’s Resource Center told authorities that the child had a left skull fracture, subdural hematoma and retinal hemorrhaging. He opined that the injuries were indicative of significant blunt force trauma and consistent with abuse, according to the complaint.

A full skeletal examination revealed he had also sustained healing fractures to his left posterior seventh and eighth ribs and possibly the sixth rib. Medical staff said the fractures were approximately one week old, according to the complaint.

Kushinski provided a voluntary statement to police Oct. 2, which was detailed in the complaint. He said he had been kneeling at the foot of his bed changing the diaper of his 13-month-old child. His 3-month-old was on the bed near the other child’s head.

At one point, the infant allegedly started to roll toward the other child’s head and Kushinski shoved him on the head to push him away. The 3-month-old screamed and cried. Kushinski said he was frustrated at the time and noticed a red mark on the baby’s head above his left ear afterward.

According to the complaint, Kushinski said when he picked both of them up, he squeezed them to avoid dropping them. The 3-month-old fussed and cried and Kushinski said he was immediately concerned. He allegedly told police that he believed he had caused the skull and rib fractures, according to the complaint.

On Oct. 9, law enforcement was informed that the infant was receiving anti-seizure medication due to having several seizures since being admitted to the hospital Oct. 1, according to the complaint. His breathing tubes had been removed, but he was still receiving nutrition with a feeding tube. Medical staff told authorities the child may have permanent brain damage, but the extent of damage would have to be monitored.