Dad accused of injuring baby
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090717/ARTICLES/907171009/1002?Title=Dad-accused-of-injuring-babyThe 5-month-old's right thigh bone was broken into two pieces. The girl's uncle was charged as an accessory.
By Karen Voyles
Published: Friday, July 17, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 17, 2009 at 3:15 a.m.
The father and an uncle of a 5-month-old Keystone Heights girl have been arrested on child abuse-related charges. The baby's mother is under investigation by state officials as well in connection with the same abuse allegation.
The baby's injuries were reported to the Bradford County Sheriff's Office and state child abuse hot line after she was taken to Shands at the University of Florida on Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff's Sgt. Kevin Mueller said the baby's right thigh bone - her femur - was broken into two pieces. Mueller's report on the incident also noted that the baby had a bruised imprint of her father's hand on her lower leg.
A man identified as the baby's father, Teddy C. Blevins, 20, was charged with aggravated child abuse.
A man identified as Blevins' brother and roommate, Luis M. Linton, 27, was charged with accessory to child abuse.
The baby reportedly lives in a home at 6022 S.E. Fourth Ave. in Keystone Heights along with her mother, Rachel Jones, 21. Blevins and Linton also reside at the home, authorities said.
According to Jones' version of the events, she was asleep in bed early Wednesday when Blevins brought the baby in to her at about 6:30 a.m. and claimed the child would not quit crying.
Jones told investigators that she noticed the baby's leg was swollen but did not immediately take her for medical care.
"The mom (Jones) is on probation for aggravated battery (not related to the child) and was scheduled to meet with her probation officer that morning, so she took the child with her to the meeting and then, in the afternoon, took the child to Shands," Mueller said.
Mueller said the baby has been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families until an investigation can be completed on Jones' ability to care for and protect the baby.
Mueller said Blevins and Linton were questioned separately about the baby's injuries and "first lied but then admitted to what had happened."
Blevins eventually claimed that the baby's crying woke him, Mueller said.
Mueller said that Blevins "aggressively picked the victim up by the leg and tossed the victim from her stomach to her back."
Mueller said Linton initially lied to investigators by claiming Blevins was in another part of the house when the baby's injury was discovered by Jones.
Blevins and Linton were being held at the Bradford County jail on Thursday.
Jones was allowed to return to the home where the three adults had been living, but was denied contact with the baby, at least until the state investigation is completed, Mueller said.
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