A father faces life in prison after being charged with abusing his daughter, who is only three weeks old.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Children’s Hospital of Detroit called in the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a possible child abuse case on Oct. 31.
The newborn infant, who lives with her father and mother in Mt. Clemens, Mich., had 18 broken bones. Fifteen were newly shattered; three appeared to be previously broken, the Macomb Daily reported. The girl did not suffer head injuries, and all the broken bones occurred from her neck down.
The Detroit News reports that both parents were interviewed by detectives, who determined that her father, Lance Finner, was allegedly watching the baby while her mother slept. The Detroit Free Press offered a different account; claiming the mother told authorities she was not at home during the time the alleged attack took place.
“He didn’t give us any plausible information to say how the injuries may have happened,” Sheriff Anthony Wickersham told the Detroit News. “This baby didn’t hurt itself.”
Finner was charged with first-degree child abuse, a felony which can carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. His bond was set at two million dollars.
