A teenage father was arrested on a charge of abuse or neglect of a child after allegedly stabbing his fingers down his son’s throat because he wanted to find hi shut off switch, according to police in Missouri.
Wentzville police said that they have arrested 19-year-old Robert James Burnette, after being accused of beating his 6-week-old son into a coma.
The boy’s mother, 20-year-old Megan L. Hendricks, was also arrested for doing nothing to stop the abuse. Burnette has been charged with abuse or neglect of a child, causing serious emotional or physical injury.
He was booked into jail, and his bail has been set at $500,000. If convicted, Burnette faces up to 15 years in prison. Hendricks was also charged with abuse or neglect of a child, causing serious emotional or physical injury.
She was booked into jail, and her bail has been set at $250,000.
According to the criminal complaint, the abuse occurred at the couple’s home located on the 100 block of St. Charles Street.
Burnette violently shook the baby and slammed his head into a bed. Hendricks told police that she saw Burnette abusing the child three times.
She saw Burnette grabbing the baby by the neck. She also watched as Burnette forced his fingers into the boy’s throat to find his voice box to stop his crying.
The baby is suffering bleeding from the brain. The child also suffered liver contusions, a broken arm, clavicle fractures and multiple rib fractures.