The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A father who was hanging out and drinking with his friends online reportedly became frustrated with his fussy baby and allegedly threw her against a wall with enough force to fracture her skull.
23-year-old Theodor Hurt and his wife, 24-year-old Dakota Vick, have five children, ages two, four, six, and eight years old, and an eight-month-old daughter. The family resides in Omaha, Nebraska.
In the middle of November, Hurt and Vick were reportedly at home with their children. It was reported that Hurt was playing video games and drinking alcohol with some of his friends online.
The 8-month-old was awake later than usual and Hurt allegedly became frustrated when she started acting fussy.
Hurt allegedly grabbed his daughter and took her upstairs to a bedroom where a portable playpen was set up. Hurt reportedly threw her into the playpen, and the baby struck her head on the wall.
The baby’s head continued to swell for days after the incident, and on November 22, she was taken to Children’s Hospital. She was diagnosed with a fractured skull and brain bleeding. The injuries were causing the child’s head to become malformed.
When her parents talked to the medical staff about the injuries, both Hurt and Vick reportedly told them that the baby fell off the sofa two times and struck her head.
The doctors at the hospital believed that the situation seemed suspicious, and the Omaha Police Department was notified.
According to the authorities, when they first spoke to the parents about how the child sustained head injuries, Hurt and Vick said she had fallen from the couch two times.
Hurt’s mother reportedly said she was at Hurt and Vick’s home and saw the baby fall one of the two times.
The investigation continued, and on November 19, the authorities conducted a second interview with Hurt and Vick.
During that meeting, Hurt allegedly admitted he threw the child into the playpen and her head hit the wall. He additionally was reported to have told them that he cried over what he had done.
When they talked to Vick, the authorities reported that she said she did not see the baby hit the wall, but she was present when Hurt allegedly threw the child.
Hurt and Vick were both placed under arrest.
Hurt is facing charges for one count of felony child abuse, and one count of misdemeanor caretaker neglect for a different incident involving his oldest daughter. He is being held on an $82,500 bond, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Vick is being charged with one count of felony child abuse. Her bond was set at $25,000.
All five children were removed from their parents’ custody by Child Protective Services.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.