A 19-year-old man from Milwaukee, Steven Nichols, is facing charges of child abuse and neglect after his baby was found with severe injuries that he claimed were caused by an iPad. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office has charged Nichols with one count of child abuse and one count of neglect.
According to court documents, the child's mother discovered her son's injuries on March 11 after leaving him with Nichols for the weekend from March 8 to March 10. Upon the baby's return home, the mother noticed he was fussy, constipated, and having trouble sleeping. She observed bruises on the child and questioned Nichols, who alleged that an iPad had accidentally fallen onto the baby.
The baby boy, born on February 3 of this year, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital by his mother, where medical staff found he had sustained bilateral skull fractures, a significant brain injury, femur fractures on both legs, rib fractures, buttocks burns, spinal bleeding, and bruises on various parts of his body.
Medical professionals determined that the injuries were not consistent with an iPad accident due to their nature, number, and placement. They concluded that the injuries were inflicted intentionally and not accidental. During police interviews, Nichols reportedly acknowledged the possibility of causing harm to his child but denied the specific allegations.
This disturbing case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable children and the need for thorough investigations into suspected cases of child abuse. The legal proceedings against Nichols will continue as authorities seek justice for the innocent baby who suffered such horrific injuries.
