Police: Newborn Baby Violently Abused By Dad


An 8-week-old newborn has been hospitalized after what authorities say was a violent case of child abuse. CBS News Baltimore reports that 23-year-old Nicholas James Hammersla has been arrested in association with the allegations, and he even offered a smile for his mugshot.

Police say the Washington County man is accused of abusing his 8-week-old son, who has reportedly suffered from numerous injuries. The 23-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night after the newborn was admitted in an area hospital with his injuries.

The mother of 8-week-old Rowan Hammersla left him alone with his young father when she left for work on Friday. Almost immediately after leaving the home, she received a call from the child’s paternal grandmother, who claimed that “something was wrong” with the infant. Something was indeed wrong, which was why the child was rushed to the hospital with numerous injuries.

Herald Mail Media reports that the 8-week-old infant suffered from a brain hemorrhage among other bruises and injuries. He is also suffering from multiple rib fractures and damage to his liver, which was evident by “elevated liver enzymes.” In other words, this child was allegedly assaulted in a violent event that left him absolutely lucky to be alive.

According to police, the newborn’s father told them that he had accidentally dropped his son, which caused him to hit his head on the floor. However, the Maryland dad later changed his story, claiming that the infant had become fussy at feeding time, which left him frustrated. He admitted to forcefully bouncing the child on his knee, which caused the baby to slip from his lap. He admitted to police that he squeezed the boy around his ribs. Police say that Hammersla told them that he was “extremely agitated and angry” at the time. The Maryland dad also allegedly demonstrated how he shook his baby by using a doll to show authorities.

This isn’t the first time a young parent has lost his or her temper on a newborn baby. In 2001, a young father was jailed after he violently shook his 7-week-old son, which led to the child’s death. The violent incident left the baby with numerous injuries, including brain bleeding, which killed him.

In 2009, an Ohio babysitter was arrested for violently shaking a 4-month-old baby, which caused her to develop “Shaken Baby Syndrome.” The babysitter, who was a mother of three children with another on the way, was charged with two counts of child endangerment. Fortunately, the 4-month-old baby in this incident survived.

Last year, a British foster mom was sentenced to six years of imprisonment, after she reportedly shook a 23-month-old baby to death. The 46-year-old mom reportedly “flew into a rage” when the baby became fussy and refused to keep down food that she was feeding him. She picked him up out of his high chair and shook him so hard that he suffered from extensive brain damage. He survived for six days in the hospital before finally succumbing to his injuries.

In this latest case out of Maryland, there are no reports on the status of the young victim’s recovery in the hospital. No reports indicate whether or not the baby is in critical condition, but there are reports clarifying the charges against the newborn’s father. Police have confirmed that 23-year-old Nicholas Hammersla has been charged with first and second-degree child abuse. He was arrested on bond in the amount of $50,000, but has already posted the amount and has been released from jail. If the Maryland dad is convicted of the crimes he has admitted to committing, he could spend up to 25 years in prison.

[Image via Washington County Sheriff]

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