A Florida man has been charged with aggravated child abuse after police say he admitted to repeatedly squeezing a baby's ribs in an effort to relieve gas, causing 25 bone fractures to the infant in his care.
Background
Anthony Hildreth, 31, of Jacksonville, was watching the child on the night of June 30 when the infant began crying. According to an arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Hildreth told police he became frustrated because he was unable to soothe the baby. A woman who had watched the child during the day reported that while the baby was gassy, the infant appeared uninjured and normal before being placed in Hildreth's care.
The Investigation
Hildreth allegedly admitted to police that he used several techniques throughout the night to try to relieve the child's gas. "One of these techniques included squeezing the ribs starting from light pressure to more pressure until he passed gas," the arrest report states. He also told investigators he performed what he described as "bicycle kicks" on the infant, pushing the child's legs toward his chest.
Around 3 a.m., the woman who was also present at the home woke up to the sound of the baby crying. Hildreth told her he was concerned about the child's breathing, which appeared abnormal. The child was taken to a local hospital where medical staff discovered 24 fractures to the baby's ribs and a fracture to the right femur near the knee.
When questioned by police, Hildreth stated he could have caused the rib fractures "by the amount of pressure he utilized when squeezing near the ribs to release gas." He told investigators he was unsure how the femur fracture occurred, claiming the baby's leg became stuck in a swaddling device without his knowledge until he pulled harder on it.
The Charges
Hildreth has been charged with aggravated child abuse. He was released on a $50,003 bond and placed on home detention with electronic monitoring pending further proceedings. Court records indicate he has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
Key Takeaways
- Anthony Hildreth, 31, is accused of causing 25 bone fractures to an infant in his care in Jacksonville, Florida
- Police say he admitted to squeezing the baby's ribs repeatedly "from light pressure to more pressure until he passed gas"
- Medical staff found 24 rib fractures and a fracture to the right femur near the knee
- Hildreth told investigators he became frustrated because he could not soothe the crying infant
- He has been released on $50,003 bond with home detention and electronic monitoring
What's Next
Hildreth is awaiting further court proceedings in Jacksonville. His case represents another instance of violent physical abuse inflicted upon a vulnerable infant under the guise of attempting to provide medical care or comfort. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the injuries.