A 5-month-old is on life support after his babysitter violently threw him into a playpen Tuesday afternoon, authorities alleged.
Detectives claimed Barbara Kendrick, 65, admitted to thrashing the infant—who was teething and had a fever—because he was fussy. The 65-year-old was taking care of the baby while his parents worked, according to WLTV.
The 5-month-old sustained a fractured skull and was transported to UF Health in life-threatening condition. He was later transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jay Farhat announced at a news conference Tuesday evening.
“The prognosis is not good.”
Doctors determined the baby has no brain activity. They originally found the 5-month-old suffered internal injuries consistent with trauma, according to WOKV. The infant is alive, but currently on life support.
The sitter allegedly went to a neighbor for help before calling 911. She later admitted to investigators that she threw the baby into his Pack and Play.
“It appears she got a little frustrated at some point, and possibly lost her temper,” Farhat.
WFOX reported that Kendrick babysat the child for about one to two months before Tuesday’s incident. Farhat said authorities believed one of Kendrick’s relatives is married to one of the father’s relatives.
Farhat added, “Any time you have a small child, it’s heartbreaking, and we take these cases to heart.”
The 65-year-old is charged with aggravated child abuse. On Wednesday, a judge ordered she be held at Duval County Jail on $500,000 bond.
