LINCOLN COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on child abuse charges.
On Friday, the police and emergency medical crews were dispatched to the 700 Block of West Wood Street in Troy, Missouri for an injured infant, according to a media release.
Upon arrival officers and paramedics observed an11-month old infant with substantial bruises, cuts to the head and face, human bite marks on his body, and in addition, the infant had blood both around these injuries, as well as coming from inside both ears and his nose.
The infant’s ears and lips were severely discolored due to the bruising. EMS could not determine the extent or severity of the injuries, or trauma to the infant’s brain. A medical helicopter transported the child to a pediatric hospital.
The infant’s father identified as Brandon D. Johnson was interviewed. Johnson advised he and his infant son were alone inside the apartment all night Thursday. He told police he had laid down on the living room couch with the infant around 11:00 PM, and estimates they both fell asleep around 2:30a.m. Friday.
He said the infant was lying between his left arm and his chest, along the back-support side of the couch, so the infant would not fall off.
At that time, other than ‘maybe’ having a few ‘slight’ scratches on the backs of his hands (from the family cat), the infant had no apparent injuries.
When Johnson awoke at approximately 5:00 AM, he noticed his infant son was now seated (sitting up) in the corner of the couch, at his (Johnson) feet.
It was now that Johnson noticed both he and his son were covered in blood. Johnson advised his son had blood all over his face and hands, and appeared to have a cut along the right side of his head. Johnson used baby-wipes and cleaned the blood off his son. He advised he then also changed his son out of the blood soaked ‘onesie.’
Johnson stated he did not know what had caused the injuries to the infant.
When asked why he didn’t immediately call for medical help as soon as he saw his son was injured and bleeding Johnson replied, he ‘freaked out’ and didn’t know what to do.
At approximately 7:00 am the infant’s mother, identified as Kristen Hopper arrived home and observed the injuries. At approximately 8:30 am Johnson contacted his mother and requested she come to the residence. Upon her arrival, at approximately 9 am, she contacted an off-duty Troy Police Officer and advised him of the injuries to the infant. The officer then contacted dispatched to have police and medics respond to the residence.
At approximately 1:00 pm the infant underwent emergency surgery to repair internal injuries of the mouth due to the trauma sustained. At the hospital, it was also determined the infant’s nose was broken and both eardrums were ruptured.
Police arrested Johnson on requested charges including with three counts of Abuse or Neglect of a Child – Serious Physical Injury (B Felony). Bond was set at $250,000 cash.
Police also arrested Hopper on requested charges including one count of Abuse or Neglect of a Child – Serious Physical Injury (B Felony). Her bond was set at $100,000 cash.
The infant was placed in protective custody.