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PLEASANT VIEW, Weber County — A Pleasant View father was charged with murder Thursday in the death of his 2-week-old son earlier this month.
Krystopher Mikehal Cleary, 20, is charged with the first-degree felony in 2nd District Court for allegedly causing severe injuries to his infant son's head, eyes and collarbone early in the morning on Dec. 16.
The boy, identified by Pleasant View police as Kyson Cleary, died Dec. 20 from his injuries.
According to charging documents, Cleary admitted to being the only person in the room with Kyson when the injury to his collarbone occurred.
"On the night the baby got the injuries, the baby had been crying, and (Cleary) and his wife had tried everything they could think of to get him to quit," charging documents state.
Cleary's wife asked him to bring Kyson to her, but he decided he needed to change the child's diaper, according to court documents.
"While changing the diaper, (Cleary) had the baby in his hands and he heard the (collarbone) 'pop.' (He) said the baby then went stiff and turned purple and quit breathing," charges state.
The couple reportedly ran Kyson upstairs to Cleary's mother-in-law, who began trying to resuscitate the infant while emergency responders made their way to the home. Kyson was taken by ambulance to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden and later flown by helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital.
Doctors there "discovered he had suffered traumatic injuries to his head, eyes and a had a broken (collarbone)," according to charging documents.
"Doctors advised the injuries were (not) survivable. Doctors also confirmed that there is not plausibly accidental mechanism such as a fall or drop that would account for the injuries," charges state.
Kyson's grandmother reportedly told police his breathing was labored when he was brought to her for resuscitation.
Cleary, who was arrested and booked into Weber County Jail on Dec. 23, made his initial court appearance Monday. His next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Court records show Cleary was placed on probation for one year after pleading guilty in September to misdemeanor alcohol-related and trespassing charges. He has no other significant criminal history in Utah.
- 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 Utah Division of Child and Family Services offers counseling, teaches parenting skills and conflict resolution and can connect families with community resources. Its goal is to keep children with their family when it is "possible and safe." Visit dcfs.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.
