A Charleston man has been arrested on child abuse charges after his two-month-old infant was hospitalized with severe injuries, according to court records.
Jeremiah Gregory Gibson, 24, is charged with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, according to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.
The complaint states the infant was hospitalized Feb. 16 with injuries consistent with abusive head trauma, commonly referred to as shaken baby syndrome. Doctors at Charleston Area Medical Center said the child’s injuries were not consistent with the explanation Gibson allegedly provided.
According to the complaint, Gibson told medical personnel he accidentally dropped the infant while preparing a bottle, claiming the child struck a countertop before falling and landing on their head. However, a medical evaluation reportedly revealed hemorrhages, multiple fractures to the skull, ribs and both femurs, persistent seizures requiring intubation and cerebral ischemia that resulted in a stroke. Medical professionals indicated the injuries could cause permanent neurological impairment.
The complaint states that doctors unanimously concluded the injuries were not accidental and were consistent with abusive head trauma. Investigators said Gibson later changed his account during interviews.
Authorities said Gibson was the sole caregiver at the time the injuries were reported. A search warrant was executed for a forensic examination of Gibson’s cellphone, and investigators said deleted search history was recovered that they allege aligns with abuse allegations.
Gibson was also charged with a home confinement violation. He is being held at the South Central Regional Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.