Possible assault of infant under investigation

Published 6:08 pm Wednesday, August 29, 2012

LAKE STEVENS — Police are investigating what appears to be the serious assault of a 2-month-old boy in Lake Stevens earlier this month.

On Aug. 21, the boy was brought into Seattle Children’s Hospital with a broken right arm, Lake Stevens Police Chief Randy Celori said Wednesday. Hospital staff notified police, who opened a criminal investigation.

Medical tests showed the boy had older injuries as well, Celori said.

“Additional investigation by the hospital revealed other multiple fractures to the ribs, shoulders and legs,” he said.

Detectives are investigating the case as a potential first-degree assault of a child, the chief said. They’re working with Child Protective Services and hospital officials as well.

Investigators believe the boy was injured at his home in the Inglewood Forest neighborhood, southwest of the lake.

Police were told the boy was at home with his father at the time.

The boy’s father, 24, reportedly told detectives he had been playing with the child when the boy fell and struck his shoulder on something, and the father tried to grab him.

The boy has been placed in the care of other relatives while police investigate, Celori said.

Detectives now are conducting interviews and collecting medical records, he said. No arrests have been made.

A family member told officials that they brought the boy to the hospital because he had a swollen lip and appeared to be having problems with his arm.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.