Photos: Desiree Marie Daniels and Randall Edward King
The probable cause affidavits in a child abuse case in Baxter County have been released, providing more details into the injuries sustained by a 5-month-old boy. The boy’s parents, 32-year-old Desiree Marie Daniels and 36-year-old Randall Edward King of rural Mountain Home, turned themselves in, after authorities began investigating the suspected child abuse.
According to the affidavit in the case, the 5-month-old victim was taken to Baxter Regional Medical Center (BRMC) May, 1 after he started having seizures and was then airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock. Doctors at ACH determined the infant had multiple injuries including subdural hemorrhage, lower thoracic spinal hemorrhage, a clavicle fracture, bilateral multi-layered retinal hemorrhages and bilateral rib fractures. It was determined the baby had suffered two separate traumatic events, with the rib fractures occurring approximately two weeks prior to the other injuries. He required a 10-day stay in the hospital for treatment.
Personnel at BRMC questioned the parents when the boy was brought in May 1 as to the events that caused the injuries. King stated he tripped and dropped the child. When asked about the other injuries, Daniels reportedly said she “hasn’t hit him in a while.” When asked for clarification, Daniels said, “He has a little sister who is a little rough.” The older sibling is 2 years old.
Dr. Liza Murray at ACH, a children at risk hospitalist, consulted on the case. She told investigators Daniels stated King had dropped the infant and he hit a “camping tin” that holds drinks. Daniels also told the doctor the boy’s black eye was caused when the 2-year-old threw a toy at him.
Dr. Murray said the parents’ stories are inconsistent with the injuries suffered. She says the head injury to the boy is consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. She says the rib injuries appeared to be “a squeezing or crushing” injury. Daniel stated to Murray the victim had gotten stuck sideways in his bassinet.
Dr. Murray told investigators it is a case of child abuse.
Both Daniels and King are charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, a class D felony. Daniels’ bond was set a $10,000, while King’s bond was set at $5,000. Both are free after posting bond.
The injured 5-month-old and another child at the residence were removed from the home by the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
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