Orlando dad accused of beating 2-month-old son

Infant put in medically induced coma

ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando father is accused of abusing his 2-month-old boy to the point the baby had to be put in a medically induced coma, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. 

The boy was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital on March 8 with a skull fracture, bleeding in his brain, a broken leg, five broken ribs and bruises on his body, according to an arrest report. His injuries were in various stages of healing.

The injuries to the boy's head caused the infant to have seizures, prompting doctors  to put him in a medically induced coma.

The boy's father, 29-year-old William Pickett, told investigators that the infant's injuries were from a fall but doctors said a fall wouldn't cause such severe injuries, according to the report. 

Pickett was arrested Thursday. During his first court appearance Friday, the judge said Pickett was convicted of manslaughter for killing his 1-month-old son, Damien Pickett, in 2007.

Officials wouldn't say how the boy died, but did say that his injuries included fractured ribs.

Pickett served more than nine years in prison in connection with his son's death.

Pickett is charged with neglect of a child and child abuse. A judge set his bond at $10,000 and ordered that he have no contact with anyone younger than 18.


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