Jonesboro Man Accused of Felony Battery of 3-Month-Old Baby

JONESBORO, Ark. — A man is facing alarming allegations that he deliberately injured a small baby over his frustration with the infant spitting up.

David Allen Becker, 25, of Jonesboro, was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 24 for second-degree battery causing physical injury, a Class C felony punishable by three to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause to hold Becker on the charge on Wednesday, setting his bond at $100,000 cash or surety. A no contact order was also issued.

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The disturbing probable cause affidavit released on Wednesday detailed more about the allegations. Detective Adam Hampton wrote on Sept. 23, he was contacted by Arkansas State Police’s Crimes Against Children Division (CACD) about a three month old boy who came to the Little Rock Children’s Hospital. He was suffering with bilateral hematomas to the brain, a collection of blood that occurs on both sides of the brain (source). The child also had severe retinal hemorrhaging behind his eyes.

Becker was interviewed by a CACD investigator. The affidavit states that Becker said he had been “tossing the child up in the air and catching him, and that he later had a seizure so he called EMS to come and get the child.”

Investigators spoke with the doctor treating the child and were told he had an injury to his spinal cord, bleeding of the brain and bleeding behind the eyes. Investigators asked what could have caused this and the doctor said rapid acceleration of the head and violent shaking or slamming of the baby would cause the injuries to his brain and spinal cord.

Investigators called Becker and his wife to return for another interview. Both showed up the next day. The detective wrote that Becker explained to him what all took place on the day of the injury and then told him he was frustrated after the baby had spit up. The affidavit says Becker said he threw the baby onto the bed, landing on his stomach with his head hitting the bed.

The detective pressed Becker, telling him the injuries were caused by shaking the baby. The affidavit goes on to say that Becker said he had the child in his arms and was shaking it back and forth for about two minutes while fixing him a bottle. When the detective asked if the baby’s head was whipping back and forth, Becker responded a little.

Becker was arrested following this interview and transported to Craighead County Detention Center, where he remains.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.