VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County father is facing serious charges after investigators say he shook his 7-month-old son, causing severe brain injuries that required emergency surgery.
Anthony Hester is charged with aggravated child abuse. Deputies say the infant was brought to Arnold Palmer Hospital after the baby’s parents noticed he was vomiting and showing signs of distress. Doctors determined the injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma. Hester told them the baby had hit his head.
That’s when investigators say their investigation began. When Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies spoke with other children in the home, those children told investigators they had witnessed Hester shaking the infant on multiple occasions. One child told investigators Hester would become angry when the baby cried, yelling “Why are you crying” and “Boys don’t cry” while shaking him.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood spoke candidly about the case.
“Never, ever does not shock the conscience when you see what people do to babies when they abused him and then they and anyone a lie. I, you know, babies that are 3 months old, or 6 months old, or 2 years old, they they just don’t fall down and break their ribs. They don’t fall, break their arm. They don’t bang their head and get brain bleeds,” Chitwood said.
Deputies say the mother was at work at the time Hester allegedly injured the baby.
Hester remains in jail and is scheduled to appear in court Friday.