Monday, February 17, 2014

Dad assaults newborn baby at hospital; baby now on life support (Bunbury, Australia)

UNNAMED DAD is nothing but trash. I don't care if he's 15 or 35.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/21525859/dad-15-on-baby-bash-charge/

Dad, 15, on baby bash charge

The West Australian

Gabrielle Knowles, Tayissa Barone, Clare Negus and Rhianna King

The West Australian
February 18, 2014, 2:40 am

A baby boy fighting for his life was allegedly assaulted by his teenage father in a Bunbury hospital room when the baby's mother left briefly to get some food.

Child Protection Minister Helen Morton said last night that she had asked for an investigation into the "distressing and tragic incident" after police charged the baby's 15-year-old father with aggravated grievous bodily harm.

Mrs Morton said the Department for Child Protection had been extensively involved with the family since the baby's birth and they had been provided with the "appropriate support and services".

The 27-day-old boy was supposed to be getting out of hospital for the first time yesterday since his premature birth last month.

He is instead on life support in Princess Margaret Hospital with critical head injuries after he was found injured on Saturday.

The West Australian believes that the boy's 16-year-old mother returned to the room about 7.20pm to find the baby unresponsive and the father claiming to be trying to give him CPR.

It is unclear exactly how he was injured but homicide detectives and forensic officers have spent time at Bunbury Hospital, where the baby had been cared for since his birth last month.

It is believed his Perth-based mother had returned to her home town of Bunbury for her son's birth in order to have the support of her immediate family.

Mrs Morton said the baby was now in the care of DCP and its chief executive Terry Murphy was responsible for making decisions regarding his medical care.

"I have asked Mr Murphy to work with the police, the hospital and all relevant government departments to review the circumstances and events leading to this incident," Mrs Morton said.

The 15-year-old, who Mrs Morton said was under the care of the State, appeared in Bunbury Children's Court via video link from Banksia Hill detention centre yesterday.

Magistrate Elizabeth Hamilton read the charge of aggravated grievous bodily harm to the accused, who said he understood the charge.

He was remanded in custody to reappear in court on February 28.

The baby's mother posted on Facebook yesterday: "I hope my son is okay.

"Missing him so much. Just want him in my arms."