When Waukesha police arrived at an apartment on July 9, they found Taejon Rhodes kneeling over his 1-month-old son on the floor, watching helplessly as the infant's skin turned gray from struggling to breathe. The baby's father told investigators he had been scrolling through TikTok while holding his sleeping child in his arms when the baby allegedly "twitched," rolled out of his grip, and fell roughly 36 inches onto the floor. But prosecutors say Rhodes' explanation does not account for what doctors would later discover inside the infant's fragile body.
Background
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WITI, Rhodes told officers he had been holding his son while using his phone when the baby suddenly moved and fell from his arms. The child's mother was in the home cooking dinner at the time and did not witness what occurred. When she heard Rhodes calling for her, he reported that the infant had fallen out of bed. She immediately dialed 911.
Upon arrival, officers observed the baby had a visible bruise around one eye—purple and yellow in color—which they believed to be an older injury. The left side of the infant's head showed extreme swelling, and his breaths came in short gasps. Due to the severity of his condition, responders transported him to Children's Wisconsin hospital, where he required pediatric life support during the journey.
The Investigation
Medical staff followed up with investigators approximately one week after the initial call. Their findings were devastating: the infant sustained a skull fracture, significant bleeding in his brain, hemorrhaging in both kidneys, and elevated liver enzymes. According to prosecutors, these injuries are consistent with "penetrative" trauma caused by "direct force trauma like punching, kicking, or hitting"—not a 36-inch fall onto carpeted flooring.
Waukesha County Sheriff's Office detectives said they found Rhodes' account implausible given the extent of the child's injuries. When questioned further, Rhodes reportedly responded that he "doesn't have any other story to tell." The infant's mother has not been identified as a suspect in the investigation.
Rhodes, 21, was arrested on Monday and booked into the Waukesha County Jail. He faces one count of child abuse and one count of reckless injury causing bodily harm—both charges are felony offenses under Wisconsin law.
Key Takeaways
- Taejon Rhodes, 21, charged with child abuse and reckless injury in connection with his 1-month-old son's catastrophic injuries
- Police say the infant's skull fracture, brain bleeding, and kidney hemorrhaging indicate direct force trauma inconsistent with a short fall
- Rhodes claimed the baby "twitched" and rolled out of his arms while he was watching TikTok on his phone
- The child's mother was home at the time but did not witness the incident; she is not suspected of wrongdoing
- A prior bruise around the infant's eye suggested additional, older injuries before this incident
What's Next
Rhodes remains held at the Waukesha County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. A judge ordered him to have no contact with the baby's mother and prohibited him from coming within 0.05 miles of Children's Wisconsin hospital, where his son continues to receive specialized care.
The father's next scheduled court appearance is set for July 28 in Waukesha County Circuit Court, where he will face formal arraignment on both charges.