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SALT LAKE CITY — The father of a 4-month-old girl was charged Thursday with abusing his daughter after she received severe burn injuries and wouldn't stop crying.
Elijah Malykeshabazz Jodejuan, 24, of Holladay, was charged with two counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony.
On Nov. 4, the girl's mother, while at work, "started getting odd text messages" from Jodejuan that "everything would turn out all right with the baby," according to charging documents filed in 3rd District Court.
When the mother got home, Jodejuan told her "not to look at the baby," and then locked himself in a room with the infant, the charges state. The mother told police she could hear her daughter screaming but he wouldn't let her in. When she finally got into the room, the baby was in a closet.
When the girl was taken to the hospital, doctors found a "patterned grid burn mark" on her forehead, in addition to other bruises and injuries, including injuries to the inside of her mouth, the charges state.
When questioned by police, Jodejuan said he "has a problem and lets himself get detached" from his daughter, according to the charges. He further explained that he will hear her cry but won't go immediately to her.
Jodejuan claimed he placed the baby next to a space heater while he was showering, and the 4-month-old was able to grab the cord and pull the heater toward her. When he got out of the shower, he found "the heater was stuck" to the young girl who was "screaming like bloody murder," the charges state.
"He finally registered the screaming and ran over to her and pulled it off her skin," police wrote.
Jodenjuan said he became "frustrated" by the burns and pushed a bottle into his daughter's mouth "pretty hard" while trying to feed her.
Jodenjuan pleaded guilty Nov. 9 to DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently charged in two other drug possession cases, according to court records. Jodenjuan also pleaded guilty in domestic violence-related assaults in 2014 and 2013.
- The Utah Department of Human Services has a statewide, 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 1-800-897-LINK (5465) and a child abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-323-DCFS (3237).
- The Division of Child and Family Services offers counseling, teaches parenting skills and conflict resolution and can connect the family with community resources. Their goal is to keep children with their family when it is "possible and safe," according to their website. visitdcfs.utah.gov/questions/or call 801-538-4100.
- The Christmas Box House acts as a temporary shelter for children and can provide them with new clothing and shoes, among other services. Call the Salt Lake office at 801-747-2201 or the Ogden office at 801-866-0350.
