Adam
01-15-03, 08:00 PM
TAMPA - An 18-year-old mother was charged with critically injuring her baby by slamming his head against the floor.
Police charged Teran Michelle Hernandez with felony aggravated child abuse. Her 8-week-old baby, Thomas Hernandez, remained on life support Tuesday in the pediatric intensive care unit at Tampa General Hospital.
Hospital staff called police Sunday after Hernandez brought her son in for treatment of a swollen head and convulsions, police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.
Hernandez had become angry at the infant because he was crying during his bath, Hughes said.
After becoming enraged when she tried to dress him and his clothing didn't fit, the young mother grabbed Thomas by his ankles and slammed his head against the floor, Hughes said.
The baby suffered severe head trauma, she said.
The state Department of Children & Families took custody of Hernandez's other son, Hughes said.
Teran Hernandez's father, Thomas Sayre, said his daughter snapped under the stress of caring for the child and trying to make ends meet. Her husband, Anastacio Hernandez, 31, is an unemployed carpenter, he said.
"It's just an unfortunate accident, at least in my eyes," Sayre said.
Teran Hernandez was being held Tuesday with no bond. Attorney information was not immediately available.
She had been free on a $2,500 bond stemming from a December arrest on domestic violence charges, records showed. She is accused of slapping her husband and striking him in the knee with a hammer.
Source. (http://abcactionnews.com/stories/2003/01/030114baby.shtml)
Police charged Teran Michelle Hernandez with felony aggravated child abuse. Her 8-week-old baby, Thomas Hernandez, remained on life support Tuesday in the pediatric intensive care unit at Tampa General Hospital.
Hospital staff called police Sunday after Hernandez brought her son in for treatment of a swollen head and convulsions, police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.
Hernandez had become angry at the infant because he was crying during his bath, Hughes said.
After becoming enraged when she tried to dress him and his clothing didn't fit, the young mother grabbed Thomas by his ankles and slammed his head against the floor, Hughes said.
The baby suffered severe head trauma, she said.
The state Department of Children & Families took custody of Hernandez's other son, Hughes said.
Teran Hernandez's father, Thomas Sayre, said his daughter snapped under the stress of caring for the child and trying to make ends meet. Her husband, Anastacio Hernandez, 31, is an unemployed carpenter, he said.
"It's just an unfortunate accident, at least in my eyes," Sayre said.
Teran Hernandez was being held Tuesday with no bond. Attorney information was not immediately available.
She had been free on a $2,500 bond stemming from a December arrest on domestic violence charges, records showed. She is accused of slapping her husband and striking him in the knee with a hammer.
Source. (http://abcactionnews.com/stories/2003/01/030114baby.shtml)