An eight-month-old baby is on life-support with a fractured skull after his mum allegedly abused him and threw a toy truck at him.
The mum, who is facing child abuse charges, also reportedly admitted that she had held his foot over the open flame of a candle for two minutes because she was “frustrated”.
Christina Niles was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect after being arrested the day before at an apartment in the 500 block of Joy Court, in Johnson City, Carter County, Tennessee, USA, on Wednesday, 8th February.
The charges are for allegedly abusing her 8-month-old boy, who is in hospital on a ventilator in critical condition.
The baby also reportedly suffered a broken arm.
Cheryl Hawkes, the baby’s grandmother, was also arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect, with officials saying that she knowingly failed to protect the 8-month-old boy, according to the Johnson City Police Department.
They were being held in the Carter County Detention Center on a USD 50,000 (GBP 41,306) bond each, which was increased to USD 250,000 (GBP 206,530) at the request of prosecutors.
Prosecutors reportedly said that the prognosis for the child, who has not been named, is not good. A preliminary hearing date has been set for 22nd February.
