From Law & Crime · · 3m
Dad Rushes Limp 4-Month-Old Girl to Hospital After Violent Shaking
Indiana man jailed for causing 4-month-old daughter's brain bleeds and hemorrhages.
In brief
Indiana man jailed for causing 4-month-old daughter's brain bleeds and hemorrhages. Indiana man faces jail after violent shaking left infant with brain bleeds and hemorrhages too numerous to count. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Dad accused of child neglect
Lance Kerschner, 25, stands accused of one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury.
Investigation began in summer
The investigation dates back to the summer when law enforcement was contacted by the Department of Child Services after the defendant brought his unresponsive infant to a hospital.
Child hospitalized for brain bleeds
The child was later transported to a children's hospital where staff monitored her for two brain bleeds.
Father claims fall on couch
During an initial interview, the father said he picked the little girl up after the baby awoke from a nap and that when he stepped forward with the child in hand, he tripped on the…
Father gives detailed timeline
In a follow-up interview, the defendant offered a far more extensive timeline of what happened on the day in question.
Child woke up screaming
The child woke up from a nap around 11:30 a.m. and seemed 'different,' Kerschner allegedly told investigators, saying she was screaming more often.
Child cried after dinner
After eating dinner, the child was put to bed around 8:30-8:45 p.m. and woke up crying roughly an hour later.
Father trips on couch
Kerschner then said he walked with the girl in his hands and tripped onto the couch.
Father rushed child to hospital
After the fall, Kerschner told a relative what happened and rushed the baby to the hospital.
Father's frustration history
One relative told authorities that when Kerschner is frustrated, he gets 'loud and aggressive' and picks up the child 'a little quicker and freaks out a little bit'.
Father admitted to shaking
When asked if he picked up the girl too quickly, the defendant told a Department of Child Services caseworker that it was a 'possibility'.
Father admitted injuries were his fault
Later, the defendant seemingly admitted the girl's injuries 'had to have' been due to him shaking her when he was stressed out.
Injuries inconsistent with fall
Whatever the cause, the child had 'several brain bleeds' and hemorrhages 'too numerous to count,' according to law enforcement. Those injuries were not consistent with a fall but, rather, with inflicted trauma.
Child appeared limp
Later, Kerschner told investigators that he noticed the baby was not moving while changing her diaper, so he contacted a relative and 'started to panic'.
Father's explanation for crying
Kerschner added that he doesn't know what to do when the baby is crying, according to law enforcement.
Father admitted fault
The defendant eventually told investigators it was all 'my fault' and provided more detail, the court documents say.
Father's remorse
I mean, I hurt my daughter and I feel horrible about it, Kerschner allegedly told police. I just wish I was in a coma.
Dad detained without bond
The defendant is being detained without bond in the Hancock County Jail.
The one thing
Indiana man faces jail after violent shaking left infant with brain bleeds and hemorrhages too numerous to count.
