Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Dad accused of violently attacking 2-month-old son; infant in coma (Australia)

UNNAMED DAD. He has been banned from having contact with Mom or the baby--for now.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/06/04/452713_gold-coast-news.html

Father accused of shaking baby

Leah Fineran | 01:01pm June 4, 2013

A TWO-month-old baby is fighting for his life in hospital after an alleged violent attack on the Gold Coast.

The baby boy was airlifted to a Brisbane hospital last night in a serious condition and is believed to be in a coma.

The child's 23-year-old father was arrested last night for allegedly shaking the child and causing brain bleeding.

He has been charged with grievous bodily harm.

This afternoon he faced the Southport Magistrates Court in handcuffs and sought bail.

Police opposed the application, arguing he was a risk of disappearing or harming himself and should be kept in protective custody.

The man's solicitor said the objection affidavit was "extremely sparse".

"It's grasping at straws," he said.

The court was told police had interviewed the man at hospital late last night before his arrest.

"He is extremely distressed under the circumstances," he said.

The man was granted strict conditional bail and must pay a $10,000 surety before his release.

He is also banned from having contact with the child and the child's mother.