Missouri Man Accused Of Shaking His Infant Son To Death

A Missouri man has been arrested in connection with the death of his infant son.

Brantly Scott, 24, faces charges of child abuse resulting in death and child endangerment after the medical reports of his son indicated abuse. Investigators said his injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Deputies with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a baby not breathing and found the infant unresponsive at Scott's home in Tunas, Missouri, on Dec. 15. The infant later succumbed to his injuries at the University of Missouri hospital.

Doctors at the hospital said the baby had limited brain activity. A CT scan revealed that the child suffered from internal brain hemorrhage and swelling. The infant also had a retinal hemorrhage. He had bruises on his forehead, jawline and chest, which indicated abuse. The doctors ruled out the chances of an accident and confirmed that they were deliberately inflicted, reported local news outlet KY3.

The hospital alerted the Missouri Children's Division and investigators with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.

Scott initially told investigators that the injuries were caused after he accidentally dropped the baby while performing CPR on him. He then said his son was injured after hitting his head on the bouncer while trying to hold his head up.

Eventually, he admitted to violently shaking the baby after getting upset with his wife for not helping him calm down the baby. He told investigators that he tried to calm the infant with a bottle when his wife stepped outside for a phone call but it did not work.

"I got mad, I just shook him and threw him on the bed," he said according to the arrest affidavit.

Scott is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. He does not have a listed attorney, reported ABC17 News.

Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that causes severe brain damage by forcefully or violently shaking a baby. It is more common among children under 2 but can affect children up to age 5.