Anthony Smith, 30, of Jonesboro, has been arrested for the alleged domestic battery of a 2-month-old baby. He was arrested on Thursday. His probable cause hearing will be Friday afternoon. The Jonesboro Police Department plans to release his probable cause affidavit later Friday.
The baby was released from the hospital on Thursday.
Family contacted our outlet to complain about saying the child’s ribs were “broken” instead of “fractured.” Despite the curiosity of this mattering to a family of a battered infant, there is no medical difference between the two terms.
However, the baby suffered from subdural hematomas, said JPD’s Public Information Specialist Sally Smith, indicating serious injuries were sustained.
Fortunately, it is now believed the child will make a full physical recovery.
However, the psychological effects could be immeasurable and last a lifetime.
JONESBORO, Ark. – A 2-month-old baby was transferred to a Memphis hospital from Jonesboro with damaged ribs and bleeding on the brain this week.
Detectives have made an arrest in the case (see above).
The Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division contacted Jonesboro Police Department who began their investigation on Wednesday, an incident report released on Thursday said. The 2-month-old baby boy was admitted to NEA Baptist Hospital on Tuesday. He was so severely injured, he had to be transferred to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
In addition to multiple rib fractures, the infant also suffered several instances of a “bilateral subdural hemorrhages,” the report said. Presumably, this meant he suffered a subdural hematoma or bleeding on the brain in multiple locations.
The suspicion was that domestic violence was the cause.
The report’s investigative details are mostly masked to the public but what is publicly visible is still disturbing. The earliest possible date of the alleged criminal behavior is May 2, 2019 with the latest possible date being July 24. This means the entire life of the baby is being examined for child abuse.
A 30-year-old male and 26-year-old female were both listed as suspects in the case on the day after the report was filed. All of their personal information was masked from public view.
Detective Bill Brown with the Criminal Investigation Division of JPD is investigating the case.
First of all he was born on may 2nd then 24 of july he was still in hospital. Get your story right. The mother worked constantly 16 and 12 hour shifts hardly ever home. Went to workbweek after he was born to take care of the family. I am the mother i am so please tell the truth. I took him in for every apt. Id leave work when the father would call saying sum wrong. Or id ask other nurses is he pose be acting like this. I work all night in to mornong or all afternoon into the next morning round 7. Know your facts.
Stories are based off of public records and what we know at the time. Everything in this is directly based off of records or police information. As always, we will continue to update the story as we learn more accurate information.