VICTORVILLE – A father was arrested for causing a severe brain injury to his four-month-old baby one day after authorities were notified this week.
James Albert Wright, 23, of Victorville, faces a June 30 Superior Court date for charges on child endangerment. He is currently being held on $500,000 bail.
Two days after Wright and the baby’s mother, unnamed in police reports, took the child to Victor Valley Medical Center, authorities were brought in to investigate.
The baby, whose name and sex was not disclosed, was having difficulty breathing, according to the parents. Doctors determined the baby has sustained a severe brain injury that likely resulted from traumatic injury to his head.
The baby was transferred to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, about 40 minutes from Victorville, for further treatment. Forensic pediatricians discovered the baby had bleeding in his head, resulting in blood clots in veins leading to the brain.
Reports said the victim had suffered from seizures, plus a stroke as a result of the injury. The baby was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Loma Linda hospital.
Staff members notified authorities, in which Crimes Against Children detail investigators, Det. Donald Patton and Sgt. Dana Foster, who began an investigation along with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dept.
On June 20, detectives contacted Wright, who was reportedly caring for the baby at the time of his injuries. During the investigation, investigators determined that Wright’s account of how the baby received his injuries was not consistent with injuries sustained.
“The infant was solely in the care of Wright at the time of his injury,” said Patton. Reports said that Wright “shook the infant, causing a devastating brain injury.” The incident likely took place at the residence on the 15900 block of Nisquali Road.
Wright, who was arrested on June 21 for charges of child endangerment, was booked at Central Detention Center and jailed at the High Desert Detention Center. His original court date of June 23 was moved back a week later.
