A six-month-old baby boy hospitalized after he allegedly was slapped by his 19-year-old father shows prior injuries associated with shaken baby syndrome, a Douglas County prosecutor said Wednesday.
Deputy District Attorney Karen Dustman said since the baby was hospitalized March 9, he had suffered seizures and a stroke.
The infant underwent emergency surgery for removal of a 7 mm blood clot from his brain.
She said the infant also had prior injuries including broken ribs and retinal hemorrhages associated with shaken baby syndrome.
The baby remained in the pediatric intensive care unit at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
Dustman made the comments during a hearing Wednesday for the baby's father, 19-year-old Alex Seeber of the Gardnerville Ranchos.
Seeber was jailed last week on $25,000 cash bail charged with felony child abuse or neglect causing substantial bodily harm.
According to reports, he admitted slapping the baby on the head because the infant was crying.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl refused to reduce Seeber's bail Wednesday and set a preliminary hearing for April 3.
Lawyer Tod Young, appointed to represent Seeber, argued that his client did not pose a risk to the baby because the child was in the custody of the state.
He also said Seeber would be living with his parents and did not present a flight risk or a danger to the community.
Dustman said Seeber had a juvenile record that indicated violence against school officials and his mother.
"I'm concerned about the anger issue," EnEarl said, denying the change in bail.
