Oakland County father accused of severely injuring infant son, sheriff says
(CBS DETROIT) — A 31-year-old father is accused of causing near-fatal injuries to his 2-month-old son, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
Court records show Daniel Charles Gracer, from Springfield Township, is charged with one count of first-degree child abuse.
"To know that people could do that to such a blessing and a gift, a young child, let alone a two-month-old is just really hurtful and really and very, very sad," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
On Dec. 23, 2024, sheriff's deputies were called to a home on the 7000 block of Meadow Lane for a report of an unresponsive infant. Authorities say the boy was in the sole care of Gracer at that time.
The boy was allegedly taken to two different hospitals for serious head and brain injuries.
A child abuse specialist at one of the hospitals determined the injuries were not accidental and the brain injury was "due to rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration, consistent with being shaken," the sheriff's office said in a written release Saturday.
The hospital told authorities the boy is likely to have severely delayed development, which triggered the sheriff's office investigation.
"I mean if we can't trust a parent or an adult to take care of and nurture a 2-month-old and they're willing to do that to a baby, what are they willing to do in other situations? So obviously this is a potentially dangerous person given what they did to a completely helpless, defenseless and innocent baby," Bouchard said.
Gracer was arrested Friday by the county's fugitive apprehension team. His bond is set at $1 million.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for Feb. 18 in Clarkson. He could face up to life in prison if convicted.