Posted on 12/05/2004 2:57:39 AM PST by freepatriot32
ELKHART -- Police believe a 13-month-old girl who suffered a fractured skull Thursday may be the victim of child abuse.
The baby was taken to Elkhart General Hospital late Thursday night, police said, but because of the severity of her injury, she was then taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
She remained there Friday in stable condition, according to police.
Her mother's 17-year-old live-in boyfriend has been arrested in connection with the injury and remains in the Elkhart County Juvenile Detention Center, police said.
He is not the biological father of the infant, according to police.
"I think it's a serious enough injury that there is some potential the child could die," said Bill Wargo, chief investigator at the Elkhart County prosecuting attorney's office.
The head injury occurred some time Thursday evening, police said, but the baby was not taken to the hospital until after 10 p.m.
According to a report on WSBT-TV, police said the child's 17-year-old mother had left the baby in her boyfriend's care. She took the child to the hospital when she arrived home and noticed swelling under her daughter's eye.
Investigators said they are looking into statements from doctors and the baby's mother.
Tom Cutler, a spokesman for Elkhart police, said there was some indication from the mother that her boyfriend may have been involved in the baby's injury. The young man also made statements linking him to involvement, police said.
The mother is not a suspect at this time, Cutler said.
"I know that (the child's) mom was concerned about the baby's health," he said.
The juveniles, whose names were not released, live together in an Elkhart apartment, according to investigators. It was unclear to police whether parents lived with them at the residence.
A detention hearing for the young man is scheduled for Monday. Wargo said allegations and oral testimony will be heard to determine whether the young man should still be detained.
The Elkhart County prosecuting attorney's office will request a waiver to move the young man to an adult court because of the extent of the baby's injury.
If the baby dies, Wargo said, the 17-year-old automatically will be waived into adult court.
Along with police, the Elkhart Homicide Unit and Child Neglect Section are investigating the possibility of abuse.
Cutler said the Homicide Unit usually is involved in cases such as this when the abuse is likely to be fatal.
"We'll be continuing our investigation," he said. "We hope the child survives."
If they dont they dont live with thier parents at 17 years old both sets of "parents"need to be prosecuted themselves on numerous charges
Prayers for the baby.
Real concern for the baby's health would have involved giving her to responsible adoptive parents.
Are you saying the parents of the 17 year old need to be charged ?
On what charges? Raising stupid, sexualized children?
At 17 both were capable of raising a family, paying bills, holding jobs.
Believe me at 17 year old think the world is their oyster and the "parents" are a hair above retarded.
Hopefully the baby lives, but it is the boyfriends, crime not the parents.
"If they dont they dont live with thier parents at 17 years old both sets of "parents"need to be prosecuted themselves on numerous charges"
Just what charges?
its illegal for 17 year olds to sign leases on apartments for themselves you cant legally sign a contract or move outon your own until you are 18 years old so in order for these kids to get a aparmtent would require at least one of the over 18 year old parents to get the lease for them wich is fraud as well as child neglect for letting them move out on thier own while they were underage
True, but you also can't buy cigarettes under 18 also.
Should we press charges against all the parents whose children smoke while underage?
I realize that is an absurd point to make, but so is charging parents with "numerous charges" almost as absurd.
if they can screw and have babies they are NOT juveniles.
sorry for the language, but I am getting sick and tired of this garbage calling murderers "children"
Which trailer park did this happen in ?
Any bets that both "sets" of parents consist of a single mother?
There are LOTs of ways to get an illegal apartment.
Heck, any college town is full of them.
Usually no lease, cash on the first of the month, no paper trail.
Of course, you are probably going to end up living in a roach-infested fire-trap, but peole do it everyday
If this young mother is emancipated she can sign for herself to lease an apartment. She has all the legal rights of an adult and is responsible for herself and child.
Sounds like both are sluts.
sad story. Let the facts come out.
Funny how the welfare of their children becomes top priority after the fact, no?
Screwing as you so delicately put it, has no bearing on your status as a juvenile. My wife recently delivered an infant to an 11 year old mother. Do you really think this child is anything but a juvenile? She's a kid, nothing more. FWIW, the youngest mother on record was 5.
I don't know about your state, but in mine, you can't compell a 16 or 17 year old to live with you. If you drag a 17 year old home by force, he/she can have you arrested for kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
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