2 days ago
Father accused of breaking WA infant's bones for being ‘demanding and needy'
A 28-year-old father allegedly admitted to a 'pattern of violent and aggressive' outbursts that left his 2-month-old son with several broken bones.
Deven J. Cooper of Kennewick told police the baby had been demanding and needed constant attention. His patience had worn thin and he allegedly began hurting the boy.
Now prosecutors have charged Cooper with second-degree assault of a child. He is being held in the Benton County jail in lieu of a $200,000 bond.
Cooper and his wife allegedly brought the child to Trios Southridge Hospital on June 2 after his wife found one of the infant's legs was more solid than the other one. When doctor's examined the child, they found his left leg had been badly broken.
The child was rushed to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for treatment. When doctors examined the baby there, they found he had multiple small breaks in both legs, a broken clavicle as well bruises on his arm.
While the couple told doctors that they believed Cooper had rolled over on the child while they were sleeping together, the doctors said the injuries didn't match the story.
A Spokane officer questioned the couple, and after they shared various stories, the officer spoke to Cooper alone. After being told that the story didn't make sense, Cooper allegedly admitted becoming angry with the child.
He allegedly grabbed the child by the leg and stood him up using it. Cooper said he was angry, so he pushed the child down to get the swaddle as tight as possible.
He told investigators that his wife didn't know anything about the abuse.
The baby and his older brother were taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services.
