Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NEPHI — A Nephi man was charged Thursday with breaking ribs and bones in his 2-month-old baby son.
Nicholas J. Peterson, 30, is charged in 4th District Court with child abuse, a second-degree felony.
Between Aug. 1 and Aug. 19, investigators say Peterson’s 2-month-old son “suffered six broken ribs, a broken bone near the ankle, fracture of the arm and a dislocated elbow, along with bruises throughout his body,” according to charging documents.
When questioned by police, Peterson said “the cat must have knocked over the bassinet in which the baby was sleeping,” the charges state.
Doctors at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City said the injuries the infant suffered did not fit Peterson’s explanation.
