A man was charged with shaking a 4-month-old child so violently the infant suffered brain damage, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The baby was hospitalized in September after being found lethargic and cold, with a visible spot in his eye.
His body temperature was just 94.7 degrees, and tests revealed “highly suspicious” brain bleeding that required further hospitalization at an Orlando children’s hospital, according to an arrest warrant.
Marvin Naphier Jr., 22, of the 1500 block of 41st Avenue, told a detective he had bounced the boy on his knee for several minutes to try to get him to sleep and saw the baby’s head snap back and forth a couple times, once “real bad,” the warrant said.
Naphier denied intentionally harming the child, who is expected to make a full recovery, despite a greater risk for seizures in the future, according to the warrant.
Naphier was arrested after deputies said he crashed a stolen car into a motorcyclist and fled the scene about 9 p.m. Monday. The motorcyclist had minor injuries.
He was charged with child abuse, grand theft auto, resisting arrest and leaving the scene of an accident.
Naphier remained Thursday in the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $45,000 bail.
The original version of this article was published by TCPalm.com.
Scott Juceam is one of the leading advocates against Shaken Baby Syndrome. Scott’s life changed when his daughter Hannah was shaken to death by her nanny in 2006. Since then, Scott has dedicated his life to preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome and child abuse.
To learn more about me, please visit my website at www.ScottJuceam.com or you can click here.
Scott Juceam 