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Editor's note: This article contains graphic content that some readers may find disturbing.SPRINGVILLE — Criminal charges were filed Thursday against a Springville man accused of intentionally trying to kill his infant daughter by throwing her on the ground and rubbing broken glass in her eyes.
Philip Cloid Hatfield, 27, is charged in 4th District Court with attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, as well as assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, class B misdemeanors.
On Sunday, Hatfield got into an argument with his wife, who was holding their 4-month-old daughter, and "pushed and punched" her, causing her to drop the baby, according to charging documents.
"(Hatfield) quickly picked up the baby and threw the baby onto the same floor," the charges state, noting that the floor was made of concrete.
The Hatfields' other two children, ages 2 and 4, watched the abuse happen, police say. The wife took her young daughter and hid in a closet where she called 911.
When Springville police arrived, Hatfield "was completely naked in the front yard and hysterical," the charges state.
"During an interview with police, (Hatfield) was asked if he was trying to kill his baby. (Hatfield) responded, 'I am going to say yes and I then have to go to the jail for that.' When asked why he wanted to hurt his baby, he admitted it was because of the argument with his wife. He also stated that he’d told his wife he could kill the baby, and that she was going to die," according to charging documents.
When officers found the infant, they noted in a police affidavit that she "appeared to be … lifeless." Officers also noted that Hatfield appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
The affidavit also said Hatfield threw the infant against a wall, down onto a pool table and rubbed broken glass in her eyes.
The infant was taken to Primary Children's Hospital where doctors discovered she had suffered two skull fractures, the charges state.
According to court records, Hatfield has a history of intoxication and disorderly conduct.
- Partner insults, demean or embarrasses you with put-downs
- Partner controls what you do, who you talk to or where you go
- Partner looks at you or acts in ways that scare you
- Partner pushes you, slaps you, chokes you or hits you
- Partner stops you from seeing your friends or family members
- Partner controls the money in the relationship, takes your money or Social Security check, makes you ask for money or refuses to give you money
- Partner makes all decisions without your input or consideration of your needs
- Partner tells you that you’re a bad parent or threatens to take away your children
- Partner prevents you from working or attending school
- Partner acts like the abuse is no big deal, denies the abuse or tells you it’s your own fault
- Partner destroys your property or threatens to kill your pets
- Partner intimidates you with guns, knives or other weapons
- Partner attempts to force you to drop criminal charges
- Partner threatens to take their life or threatens to kill you
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition Hotline: 1-800-897-5465 (LINK)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
- YWCA 24-Hour Crisis Line: 801-537-8600
