BECKLEY, W.Va. — A Raleigh County man has been charged with child abuse creating serious bodily injury, after his infant son was taken to the hospital, suffering from seizures and multiple injuries.
The 11-week-old child was brought to Raleigh General Hospital, where medical staff determined the infant had a head injury, broken ribs, and a broken leg. The baby later was transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center, where he was placed on a ventilator.
The child’s father, Michael C. Burgess, 23, of Beckley, was arrested and taken to Southern Regional Jail on a $250,000 cash/surety bond.
Raleigh County Sheriff Scott Van Meter said the child’s mother told investigators she witnessed Burgess “violently shaking” their son on at least one occasion. Burgess later admitted to slamming the boy’s body on the floor, after becoming aggravated while watching him.
The child remained in critical condition, as of Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office.