MELBOURNE, Fla. (TCN) — A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fatally striking a 6-week-old baby in the knee.
According to an arrest affidavit, Melbourne Police Department officers and emergency responders responded at approximately 11:11 a.m. on June 10 after receiving reports of an unresponsive baby. The victim was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
In an affidavit, Melbourne police said they saw a doctor who noticed minor bruising on the baby's left shoulder and scratches on her face. An autopsy later determined the infant had suffered internal injuries from blunt force trauma, including contusions, brain hemorrhage, intraocular nerve hemorrhage, and fractures to the clavicle, tibia, ribs and jaw. The doctor who performed the autopsy also found injuries during the healing process, suggesting previous physical abuse, according to the affidavit. The baby's death was ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma.
In the interview, police reportedly spoke with the victim's father, Edrick Davis, WOFL-TV reported. Authorities said he “appeared distressed and agitated with trembling hands and quivering lips,” according to the affidavit. Davis initially told investigators that he “accidentally” hit the baby's head against a door frame and then hit the back of the head with his knee “to try to stop the baby from falling out of his arms.”
In another interview, Davis reportedly admitted to detectives that the victim was “stressed out because she was fussy and crying.” According to the affidavit, Davis claimed he hit the toddler hard on the back of the head with his knee several times, but didn't mean to. He also reportedly acknowledged that his actions resulted in the death of his son.
Police arrested Davis on charges of first-degree felony murder of a child and aggravated child abuse. He is being held in the Brevard County Jail without bond.
more: