Weatherford Man Arrested For Abuse
WEATHERFORD (CBSDFW.com) - On Sunday a 3 month old infant from Weatherford was admitted to Cook Children's Hospital with suspicious injuries.
Weatherford Police officers met with medical personnel and were advised by doctors that the injuries the infant sustained were not consistent with the story that the parents of the infant had given. It was then determined that the infant had sustained a brain injury which they believed came from someone shaking him.
Investigating officers began questioning the father, 20 year old Tyler Wayne Whitaker of Weatherford. He later confessed to injuring the infant and the infant's twin brother.
"He did subsequently admit to injuring the child that was in the hospital as well as his twin brother, in the past", said Cpl. Wendy Field of the Weatherford Police Department.
"It is our duty as a police department to protect small children who are unable to protect themselves," stated Captain Greg Lance, "This is a very tragic incident; we are grateful that the children are receiving the medical care they need and that this person has been arrested."
Whitaker was arrested and is being held on a $75,000 bond for Injury to a Child – Serious Bodily Injury which is a 1st Degree Felony punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for any term not more than 99 years or less than 5 years. In addition, he could be fined up to $10,000. Additional felony charges are pending.
The twins also have a two year old brother but it does not appear at this time that he has sustained any injuries.
All three children have been taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services.
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Phyllis Smith Reporting for 1080 KRLD
