A Central Florida man was arrested after critically hurting a three-month-old baby.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 24-year-old Zachary Ingram of Eagle Lake and charged him with aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony, for critically injuring a three-month-old baby he was caring for.
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The investigation began when the PCSO got a 911 call reporting an unconscious baby boy at a home near Eagle Lake. According to law authorities, Zachary originally told investigators that the baby was asleep in his baby swing while he went to the bathroom for around 10-15 minutes. Zachary stated that when he returned from the bathroom, he discovered the infant pale and lifeless in the swing. He called the baby’s mother and informed her that the baby was not breathing. She instructed him to hang up and contact 911. He administered CPR to the infant until first responders came.
Several medical examinations at Winter Haven Hospital revealed that the baby had a brain bleed and had some bruises in his lower abdominal area. He was sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. A further CT scan revealed a brain bleed and hemorrhage. He was in serious but stable condition.
According to PCSO, during initial interviews with the baby’s mother and the suspect, they stated that a two-year-old in the home smacked the baby in the head with a rattle and that the infant’s mother stumbled and fell while holding the baby, perhaps hitting his skull at the time. Ingram ultimately admitted to detectives during further interrogation that he shook the kid while holding him horizontally and vertically. He admitted that he may have shaken the baby harder than he realized. Detectives determined through surveillance evidence from two different Polk County stores that the baby’s mother was not present at the time of the injuries, and Zachary Ingram was the only adult in the residence alone with the victim.
The following is an excerpt from the affidavit, which local law enforcement said is self-explanatory:
It must be noted that the injuries sustained by the victim included, but are not limited to, brain bleed hemorrhaging, innumerable retinal hemorrhaging, linear bruising on the buttocks, vertical bruising near the anus, partial linear bruising in the lower abdomen, bleeding in the spinal cord, a spinal cord edema ligament injury, and the victim began suffering from seizures, which he was further medicated for. Contact was made with Dr. Rexine of the Saint Joseph’s Hospital – Tampa Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where it was confirmed that the victim’s injuries are consistent with a child being violently shaken. Advanced Practical Registered Nurse Jennifer Santana with the Hillsborough County Child Protection Team, also advised that the injuries sustained by the victim were a clear indication of child abuse. Medical professionals expressed that the victim’s injuries will most likely cause permanent disability to his brain, causing the incident to meet the Florida State Statute requirements of Aggravated Child Abuse (F.S.S. 827.03 (2)(B)).
CPT’s Medical Evaluation report which was confirmed and approved by CPT Medical Director Dr. Carol Lilly indicates that the victim’s injuries are inconsistent with the histories of 2-year-old hitting with a rattle and a single fall with mother as there are injuries to multiple body areas including the spine and bruises to abdomen/buttocks. The collection of symptoms on presentation (apnea, seizures and change in level of alertness), retinal hemorrhages and intracranial hemorrhages, support the impression of abusive head trauma. The report concludes by stating “This collection of injuries in combination with his presentation of apnea and seizures supports the conclusion that his course is most consistent with abusive trauma.”
Ingram was brought into custody and charged with aggravated child abuse.
“The abuse that this baby suffered at the hands of his caregiver is simply unfathomable,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “We pray that this baby is able to recover from his significant injuries, and that the suspect is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
