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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Father accused of injuring infant

Man charged with abusing 'shaken' baby with 11 broken ribs

State police have charged a Harlan County man with abusing his 3-month-old son.

Carl C. Crider, 25, of Cumberland allegedly squeezed his son's abdomen. Crider was charged with first-degree criminal abuse, according to a news release.

Tests at a Knoxville hospital also showed that 11 of the infant's ribs were broken in 19 places, said state police Detective Michael Cornett, who is investigating.

Some of the breaks were three to four weeks old, Cornett said.

State police were called Saturday to Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital, where Ashley Ealy, the infant's mother, had taken him. Police did not release the baby's name.

A doctor said the infant also was a victim of shaken-baby syndrome, state police said.

The baby was taken to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital for further treatment. In addition to the rib fractures, the baby showed signs of suffocation, according to a news release.

Cornett said Crider and Ealy had been separated but were trying to reconcile Saturday night. The baby was crying, and Crider allegedly squeezed him to try to make him be quiet. The alleged abuse happened at Crider's home.

Crider is charged only on the basis of the alleged abuse from Saturday night. Cornett is continuing to investigate who was responsible for other injuries to the infant.

Cornett said the baby was in stable condition Monday and is expected to make a full recovery.