Dad admits he abused 4-month-old son (Portage, Wisconsin)

Dad is identified as RAYMOND H. KOESTER. No mention of a mother in the home.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/court-document-father-admits-shaking-fussy-infant/33774628

Court document: Father admitted shaking fussy infant

Published On: Jun 25 2015 04:17:12 PM CDT Updated On: Jun 25 2015 07:06:06 PM CDT

PORTAGE, Wis. - A document charging a Columbia County man with abusing his infant son said the man admitted to shaking the baby when he became fussy.

Raymond H. Koester, 26, of Doylestown, appeared in Columbia County court Thursday afternoon via video. He is charged with two felony counts of physically abusing a child intentionally causing great bodily harm.

Koester's infant son was admitted to UW Hospital in Madison Saturday for multiple bilateral subdural brain bleeds.

According to the criminal complaint, Koester admitted to a detective that he shook the baby twice. One time was about a week before the baby’s 4-month-old checkup when the the infant became fussy in his bouncy chair. Koester told the detective he picked the baby up and shook him about four times.

At the baby's checkup June 11, the doctor noticed his head measured larger than normal, and an MRI days later showed the baby had a fluid collection in his head, according to the complaint.

A Columbia County Human Services social worker contacted the sheriff's office when the baby was admitted to University of Wisconsin Hospital Saturday with suspicious injuries.

In the complaint, a physician’s assistant told a detective the injuries are consistent with the baby being shaken, his head being struck by an object or his head striking an object. A doctor said the injuries were consistent with an intentional act.

In addition to the brain bleeding, the baby had hemorrhaging in his eyes, which is consistent with shaken baby syndrome and could cause long-term vision problems. Tissue in the baby's mouth was torn, which was consistent with being force-fed or with a pacifier being forced into the mouth, officials said.

According to the complaint, Koester admitted to a detective that he shook the baby twice, once about a week before the baby’s 4-month-old checkup when the baby became fussy when he was in his bouncy chair, so Koester picked him up and shook him about four times. #Detectives believe the baby was injured on or around June 4 and June 12.

The baby underwent brain surgery Tuesday and was listed as stable. A physician's assistant said the baby's prognosis wouldn't be known until the injuries healed and he grew.

In court Thursday, the judge ordered a $20,000 cash bond for Koester. He was also ordered not to have contact with the baby. If convicted of the two he could face up to 40 years in prison.