‘Frustrated’ Father Arrested After He Allegedly Squeezed His 1-Month-Old Baby So Hard He Fractured 20 Ribs


An apparently frustrated father, Daniel Nixon, 25, in Pinellas Park, Florida, is facing child abuse charges for allegedly squeezing his 1-month-old baby girl so hard that he fractured 20 ribs, according to ABC Action News. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office stated that detectives with the Crimes Against Children Unit began an investigation after medical staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg discovered that a baby, whose identity has not been released, had 20 fractured ribs.

Nixon and the baby’s mother, Sara Nixon, 25, initially admitted the baby to the hospital on Tuesday, July 11, for a digestive problem and a bruised leg, but what doctors found was shocking. Officers with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the hospital after they were alerted by medical staff that an infant patient suffered 20 fractured ribs.

After the baby’s parents were questioned, detectives stated that they found inconsistencies with the father’s story. Days later, Daniel was taken to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for further questioning. That is where police say he admitted to squeezing the baby so hard that he fractured his daughter’s ribs.

Daniel went on to say that he became frustrated when his daughter wouldn’t stop crying. Therefore, he began to squeeze his baby so hard that he fractured her ribs.

The incident reportedly took place inside a Pinellas Park home on two different occasions between June 19 and July 4 of this year.

Daniel was arrested on Thursday, and he was booked into the Pinellas County Jail without incident. There is no word on whether or not the mother of the baby had knowledge of the incident, but authorities say she was not arrested.

The father is now facing one count of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm. It is unclear at the moment if the father has an attorney.

The baby’s condition has not been divulged, but it was reported that she has since been released from the hospital, and the baby is now recuperating at a relative’s home.

Florida father arrested after allegedly squeezing 1-month-old baby so hard that he fractured 20 ribs. [Image by Eddies Images/iStock]

Daniel’s bond was set at $100,000, and he made his first court appearance Friday afternoon.

Pinellas County Police continues to investigate the incident.

[Featured Image by Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office]

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