JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT/Gray News) – An Arkansas mother is suspected of injuring her 6-month-old baby after doctors told police the infant suffered injuries that could only be attributed to a ” major car accident or physical violence.”

Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler on Saturday found probable cause for police to arrest Ryanne Elizabeth Foster, 19, on suspicion of second-degree battery, KAIT Reports.

The charge stems from a complaint filed in July regarding a 6-month-old infant taken to a hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas, then transferred to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, with serious injuries .

Foster and the baby’s father reported that the baby was born prematurely and suffered seizures after being brought back from the neonatal intensive care unit. The father reportedly stated that the seizures occurred while he was not there.

Foster claimed the baby, whom she reportedly called a “potato,” fell off the couch during one of those seizures, causing the injuries. However, according to the affidavit, doctors told investigators that the baby had “mixed bleeding to the right and left brain, micro-bruising to the front and back of the brain” and multiple fractures to his arms and legs.

“When I asked the doctor what could cause such injuries in a 6-month-old child, I was told that it must be a very serious car accident or physical abuse,” said the sergeant. Bill Brown in court documents.

When Brown tried to speak with the parents about the alleged injuries, Foster “wouldn’t call him back.”

Brown finally spoke with the child’s father a second time Saturday. He reportedly apologized and said he had left Foster and left town. According to the affidavit, he told Brown he was concerned the baby “could end up dying” if he remained in Foster’s care.

“(He) talked about Ryanne describing (the baby) like a sack of flour and that there was more of an emotional connection with their dog than with (the) baby,” Brown said.

At Wednesday’s probable cause hearing, when asked if she had any other children, Foster responded, “I have a dog.” »

Police arrested Foster Monday and booked her into the Craighead County Detention Center, where she remains on $50,000 cash bail. The judge ordered her to have no contact with her child.

Foster is scheduled to appear in circuit court on Dec. 17.

Copyright 2024 KAIT via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.