A Missouri father, Richard A. Leonard, 20, faces child abuse charges after doctors discovered 14 fractures in his two-month-old daughter’s body. Leonard was arrested Wednesday by the Lee’s Summit Police Department, according to reports. Law and crime.
According to the affidavit of probable causeThe abuse came to light after Leonard and his wife took their daughter to a doctor’s appointment, where bruises were detected on the baby’s body. The doctor advised the parents to take the baby to the hospital for further examination, but they refused. Concerned, the doctor reported the alleged abuse to the Department of Family Services hotline.
Police conducted a welfare check at the family’s home, after which Leonard and his wife took the baby to the hospital. Medical staff found extensive injuries, including 14 bone fractures on the baby’s arms, legs, ribs and fingers, as well as bruising on her shoulder, face and back.
Leonard initially told investigators that he had accidentally dropped the baby after tripping. He later amended his story, claiming he fell on top of her after tripping. However, doctors said the injuries, spread over different parts of the body and in various stages of healing, were consistent with “classic abuse” and could not have been the result of accidents.
Leonard eventually admitted to detectives that he had abused the boy out of frustration. “The lack of sleep, constant crying during diaper changes, and her own anger issues had become a problem that resulted in abuse.” police wrote in the affidavit. He described being too forceful in dressing, swaddling and changing the baby, admitting to using “more force than necessary” and feeling remorse afterwards.
Leonard also revealed that he was abused as a child and had been placed in foster care. He admitted to pulling out his hair as a coping mechanism during times of stress, a behavior he had recently resumed. “What bothered him the most is the fact that (his daughter) always screamed when he tried to hug her,” police said.
The baby has been taken into custody of the Department of Family Services. Leonard was arrested and released on $50,000 bail, with conditions prohibiting contact with his wife or son. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.