Police in Missouri found an 11-month-old baby with serious injuries this week and took his parents into custody on suspicion of child abuse and neglect.
According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the baby underwent emergency surgery Saturday evening to address trauma to the inside of his mouth.
Reports indicate he also had “human bite marks on his body” as well as “substantial bruises” and “cuts to the head and face.”
His nose was reportedly broken and both of his eardrums ruptured, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Troy police say officers responded to a call alerting them of an injured juvenile at the address of Brandon D. Johnson and Kristen Hopper, where they found the badly injured child.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11th, 2017CONTACT: Public Information Officer, Tony StewartTROY COUPLE CHARGED WITH…
Posted by Troy Missouri Police Department on Saturday, November 11, 2017
The victim was reportedly airlifted to a St. Louis pediatric hospital for treatment and released into protective custody. Johnson and Hopper were arrested.
Investigators say Johnson told them he was lying on his couch Friday evening and fell asleep with his son between his arm and his chest. Prior to that, he said the boy had only a few minor scratches associated with the family’s pet cat.
Around 5 a.m. Saturday, Johnson reportedly said he woke up covered in blood and saw his blood-soaked son sitting on the end of the couch. He claimed he did not know what caused the injuries, including an apparent cut to the child’s head, and cleaned the boy with baby wipes.
Hopper reportedly came home about two hours later and Johnson finally contacted his mother at around 8:30 a.m. to tell someone about the injuries.
When Johnson’s mother arrived, the News-Democrat reported that she contacted an off-duty Troy police officer who then called to dispatch emergency personnel to the home.
Johnson faces three counts of child abuse or neglect causing serious physical injury and was placed in custody under $250,000 bail. Hopper faces one count of the same charge and was jailed with bail set at $100,000.
[Featured image: Troy Police Department]