Police: Man Crushes Infant's Bones, Twists Limbs
POSTED: Thursday, October 25, 2007
UPDATED: 9:04 am EDT October 26,
2007
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A 24-year-old Central Florida man is accused of crushing at least 12 bones in his infant son's body, twisting his limbs and fracturing his skull, leaving the child in critical condition.
Police said Nathaniel Bozarth is believed to have abused his infant son at an Orange County apartment where he lived with the child's mother.
According to an arrest affidavit, Bozarth admitted to detectives that he would force his son's mouth shut to stop him from crying. He also admitted to forcefully squeezing the baby's torso and said he may have broken the child's legs during diaper changes, the report said.
"The child has serious injuries," Orange County sheriff's Sgt. John Allen said. "So, obviously, this is a serious case. It would appear that at different times, he would either shake or push the child down. It looks like at different times he has twisted the child's limbs."
Deputies said the child's mother noticed bruises on the baby and that his head was swollen before Bozarth was taken into custody.
"He certainly appears to be remorseful for what occurred," Allen said.
Investigators said the abuse would occur while the mother was away.
Officers said the woman told them Bozarth had an anger management problem.
The Department of Children and Families is investigating.
Bozarth has been charged with aggravated child abuse.
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