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SALT LAKE CITY — A 32-year-old man is accused of physically abusing a 7-month-old girl, fracturing some of her ribs.
Jeremy Michael Johnson was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with four second-degree felony counts of child abuse for allegedly fracturing at least three of the baby's ribs and collarbone, and bruising her face and bottom.
Johnson, whose address is listed in charging documents as unknown, is referred to as the child's "primary caretaker." He allegedly told police he holds the small girl tightly until she stops crying when she is upset.
"Johnson admitted that it was possible that he may have squeezed her too tightly," charging documents state.
Johnson is also accused of spanking the baby girl and force-feeding her with a bottle by grabbing her face. A doctor at Primary Children's Hospital discovered the girl had experienced "physical/nutritional" neglect, the charges state.
An initial court date for Johnson has not been set.
