There is no excuse for any form of child abuse, and when such cases come to light, the public outcry is understandable. One such recent case involved a 26-year-old man who abused his newborn daughter, leaving visible marks on her tiny body.
The man in question, Gavin Rogers, has now been sentenced and will be serving time in jail after pleading guilty to domestic battery. His punishment came after he punished his infant daughter for what he perceived as ingratitude, resulting in bruises in the shape of teeth marks being found on the child.
Rogers appeared in court on March 28, seeking a plea deal, which was partially successful. He has been sentenced to one year behind bars and two years of supervised probation for his crime.
Reports indicate that Rogers and a female companion took the two-week-old baby to a hospital. It was there that the medical staff noticed the numerous bruises and teeth marks on the child’s body, prompting them to contact the police.
Initially, Rogers claimed that he may have accidentally left the marks while kissing the baby. However, the severity of the injuries suggested that force had been used, resulting in significant pain for the infant.
The nursing staff also observed concerning behavior when they overheard Rogers referring to the baby as “ungrateful” and “evil.” When the baby cried, he became frustrated.
Within a few days, a nurse reported witnessing a change in the baby’s demeanor when she was in the father’s care compared to when she was with the mother. These interactions raised further concerns.
“On another occasion in the room, (Rogers) had the baby completely undressed and lying in his lap. The baby appeared physically cold and was crying while he observed and recorded videos of her crying,” detailed the affidavit. “I am not comfortable entrusting this baby’s care to (Rogers).”
The hospital staff also noticed his frustration when the baby cried and tried to educate him about the dangers of shaking a baby.
During his police interview, Rogers revealed that he had been living with the baby and her mother for two weeks, although he usually resided with his parents, 50 miles away in Greencastle.
In a subsequent interview, he admitted to giving the baby “love bites” and acknowledged that he may have bitten too hard.
Following his arrest, Rogers served three months in jail and completed nine months in community corrections.
The case serves as a stark reminder that no child should suffer from abuse or neglect. It is crucial to protect our most vulnerable members of society and ensure their well-being.
