Toddler's injuries lead to child-abuse charges

A Scott City man has been charged with two counts of child abuse after a toddler in his care was injured.

A probable-cause affidavit by officer Todd Rayl of the Scott City Police Department stated Rayl was contacted Saturday by the Scott County Juvenile Office with a report of child abuse.

Rayl interviewed the 2-year-old's mother, Elexas Brown, at the Cape Girardeau hospital emergency room where the child was being treated, according to the statement.

Brown said she had awakened her boyfriend of about six months, Jacob Pettit, to watch her daughter while Brown went to work. According to the statement, Brown said the child was in bed for a nap at the time and had no injuries.

Pettit called Brown between noon and 12:45 p.m. and told her, "I'm sorry, I fell asleep when I put her down for a nap and now she has a big bump on her head," according to the statement. Brown told the officer that Pettit called her back a few minutes later and said the child's right ear was bruised, as well. According to the statement, Pettit and Brown took the child to the hospital about 2 p.m. Saturday.

When asked whether the girl could have fallen down stairs, Brown said there are only three small, carpeted stairs in the rear of the residence, the affidavit stated.

During an interview with Rayl, Pettit said he "dozed off" sometime after the child had been put down for a nap, according to the statement. About 12:20 p.m., he said, he was awakened by the child screaming. He said when he got to the room, he found the child "bruised and hurt." Pettit admitted he was wrong for leaving the child unattended, but denied abusing her, the affidavit stated.

The emergency room doctor told police the juvenile's injuries consisted of significant bruising on both ears and the tops of both feet, a knot on the rear right and front left upper sides of the head and bruising on the lower back, chin and left leg, according to the statement. The doctor said some of the injuries were older and the treated injuries were not consistent with those sustained from a fall.

The child was taken to St. Louis Children's Hospital for further treatment of the head injuries. Her doctor there said he expects a full recovery and no permanent damage, according to the statement.

Petitt, who has no criminal history, has been charged with two felony counts of abuse of a child younger than 17, the maximum sentence for each being seven years and/or a $5,000 fine.

Petitt's bond was set at $2,500 cash only, with a stipulation that he have no contact with minors.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

James Street, Scott City, Mo.