A Cobb County father is accused of critically injuring his 4-week-old son, possibly leaving the child with brain damage or disabled, according to police.
The newborn was restless and having difficulty eating or sleeping after being in the care of her husband, the baby’s mother told police.
“She heard the infant emit a cry which was pained and that she had never heard before,” the arrest warrant states.
While being checked by a pediatrician, the baby had a seizure and was sent to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where he was admitted March 24, according to police. Doctors determined that the baby had suffered a subdural hemorrhage, or bleeding around the brain, that was non-accidental.
“Analysis of an MRI indicated strain to the infant’s muscles around the vertebrae in his neck,” the warrant states. “Medical professionals also discovered that (the baby’s) brain showed signs of oxygen deprivation.”
The baby, whose name was not released, was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit, police said. Doctors said the baby may suffer permanent brain damage or disabilities, but the extent will not be known until he is older.
Keydrick Sharod Swift, the baby’s father, was arrested Friday and charged with cruelty to children and aggravated battery, both felonies, Cobb jail records showed. Swift, 33, was released late Friday after posting $25,000 bond.
No information was released on how Swift allegedly injured the baby. Swift’s wife told police he had previously damaged property in their Marietta-area home when he was angry.
The baby was recovering Tuesday while in protective custody, Officer Alicia Chilton with Cobb police said.
Swift was in state prison from July 1997 until May 2005 following a conviction in Rockdale County for armed robbery, theft by taking and false imprisonment, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
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