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Deputies: 17-year-old arrested after 5-week-old baby found to have skull fracture, brain bleed

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Posted at 11:00 AM, Mar 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-23 11:21:50-04

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A 17-year-old mother is facing charges after one of her 5-week-old twin boys was admitted to the hospital with a skull fracture and a brain bleed, according to authorities.

The infant was admitted to John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital Wednesday evening. Deputies say the 5-week-old boy is a twin, but the other baby didn't sustain any injuries.

Officials at the hospital told authorities the injuries could only have come from intentional abuse.

Authorities say the mother of the twins was at home alone with them while her grandmother went to work. The grandmother checked on her throughout the day and was told there were no issues, according to deputies.

When the grandmother returned home she told deputies that when attempting to feed the baby he displayed signs of discomfort and wouldn't eat. She then noticed the baby's head was misshapen and she took him to the hospital, deputies say.

The 17-year-old mother told deputies several versions of what happened to the baby, but deputies say none appear consistent with the injuries sustained. She later admitted to throwing the baby on the floor out of frustration, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The injured infant remains in the hospital for treatment. His twin is also at the hospital until he is released into foster care, according to authorities.

The mother was arrested and faces one count of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm/permanent disfigurement. She was taken to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.