Arkansas Man Charged in Infant Injury Case
JONESBORO, Ark. – A 19-year-old man in northeastern Arkansas has been arrested and charged with second-degree domestic battery after a 2-month-old infant was hospitalized with multiple injuries, authorities said Friday.
Jacob Freeman, of Caraway, is accused of inflicting bruises to the baby’s scalp, jaw, and upper lip, as well as a laceration to the chin, according to court documents. He was booked into the Craighead County jail and is being held on a $100,000 bond. A court date is scheduled for March 19.
The case began February 12 when the infant was taken to a local hospital, KAIT-TV reported. A hospital nurse alerted the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division due to the nature of the injuries, which also included redness on the baby’s left shoulder.
Investigators with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office questioned Freeman, who initially claimed the baby fell off a bed. However, authorities determined the injuries were inconsistent with a fall, according to an affidavit cited by KAIT-TV.
The exact relationship between Freeman and the child has not been publicly disclosed.
Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge Freeman with the felony offense, according to KAIT-TV. Second-degree domestic battery is a Class C felony in Arkansas.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of child abuse, a problem affecting communities worldwide. According to data from the World Health Organization, one in four children experience some form of violence before the age of 18. The Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division investigates reports of abuse and neglect across the state, working to protect vulnerable children.
