A Batesville man has been charged in Ripley Circuit Court with battery on a child causing serious bodily injury.
“The charge stems from an incident involving his girlfriend’s 8-week-old baby Dec. 16 in Batesville,” said Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt.
At about 4:25 a.m. Bryan Herbert, 32, called 911 from 415 Herman St. and reported the boy swallowed a baby wipe and was having difficulty breathing.
Batesville Patrolman Chris Smith responded and rendered aid until Batesville EMS 10 arrived. The infant was transported to Margaret Mary Community Hospital and later air-lifted to Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, where he remained in the intensive care unit for a few days.
“The injuries were life threatening,” Holt said. “The injury to the baby was significant respiratory distress,” which required intubation, according to Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel, who added, “My hope is that this baby makes a full recovery and has no lasting injuries or effects. Time will be the judge of that, though.”
The chief reported, “Detective Mike Benjamin and Lt. Gandy Browning spent the next several days interviewing witnesses and meeting with doctors.” The results of their investigation were handed over to Hertel, who filed the charge Dec. 22.
He explained, “Herbert will answer for the crime in Ripley Circuit Court. No hearing dates have been set as he is still currently incarcerated in Marion County,” Indianapolis, on unrelated charges.
If convicted of the battery charge, a Class B felony, Herbert could face up to 20 years in prison, Holt said.
