2-month-old boy hospitalized after his father smacked and shook his head “as hard as he could” from side to side and struck him with a closed hammer fist in the abdomen; father arrested
Missouri – In a harrowing incident of child abuse in Missouri, a 23-year-old father, identified as S. Sinclair, is facing a felony charge after admitting to violently assaulting his 2-month-old son—actions that left the infant with injuries a doctor described as similar to a 20-foot fall. The child remains hospitalized as authorities press forward with a criminal case that has shaken the community.
Sinclair has been charged with one count of abuse or neglect of a child, following an incident that unfolded Saturday morning. Deputies responded to a distress call around 7:15 a.m., arriving at the family’s home to find emergency medical responders already working to save the baby’s life. The child was suffering from severe head trauma and visible injuries when deputies arrived. According to the probable cause affidavit, Sinclair initially told paramedics that while feeding and trying to burp his son, the child suddenly “kicked” and slipped from his grip, falling onto the hard floor. However, those on the scene were alarmed not only by the infant’s extensive injuries but also by Sinclair’s repeated utterances of “I’m sorry,” which he kept saying while explaining what happened.
The baby was quickly transported to a children’s hospital, where doctors found his body covered in injuries—from his face and head to his torso and limbs. The full extent of the damage was staggering: blue marks blanketed the newborn’s head, jaw, face, and ears, with additional markings on his chest, abdomen, and even scrotum. Internal injuries included multiple areas of brain bleeding and elevated liver enzymes—symptoms far too severe for a simple fall. Medical professionals were unequivocal: the injuries could not be explained by a baby accidentally slipping from a parent’s hands. Instead, the patterns and severity pointed to intentional, repeated physical abuse. According to the doctors, the trauma was more in line with what might be seen in a child who had been violently shaken or dropped from great heights.
Faced with the overwhelming medical evidence, Sinclair eventually provided a far more disturbing account of what happened that morning. During a formal police interview, he admitted that he had reacted violently when he thought the baby was choking. He said he first hit the child in the back with an open hand. Then, in a moment of anger, he struck his son in the abdomen with a closed “hammer fist.” But the violence didn’t stop there. Sinclair told investigators he also smacked the baby on the side of his head, then shook the infant’s head “from side to side as hard as he could.” In his own words, he confessed he was “trying to harm” the child.
When confronted with how severe the consequences of his actions were, Sinclair allegedly said he didn’t know what to say. He acknowledged that he likely wouldn’t be a part of his son’s life anymore and expressed regret, saying he had wanted his son “to be a better man than he is.” Sinclair was arrested and booked into the county detention center. While prosecutors requested a bond of $25,000, he was released after posting 10%—just $2,500 in cash. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 26 for a bond review hearing.
The infant remains under medical care, and the case is still under active investigation. Authorities have not released additional details about the child’s long-term prognosis. What is certain, however, is that the violence inflicted on a helpless baby has sparked widespread outrage, and the upcoming court proceedings are likely to draw close scrutiny as the justice system determines Sinclair’s fate.
