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EAGLE MOUNTAIN — An Eagle Mountain man who police say would use "unnecessary force" on his 4-month-old daughter when he became emotionally distraught was arrested Wednesday after the infant was found to have multiple broken bones.
James Avery Hester, 28, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated child abuse.
The investigation began Monday when the Utah County Sheriff's Office received a report from the Division of Child and Family Services of a possible child abuse case.
"The details contained within the (report) outlined that a 4-month-old female was treated at Intermountain Health for a fractured right humerus bone. During the subsequent skeletal scan, observed by Children's Justice Center forensic nurses … fractured ribs on the 4-month-old baby (were revealed)," a police booking affidavit states.
Detectives spoke with the girl's mother and "learned of a history of anger issues with the father," the affidavit states.
When questioned, "Hester admitted that on occasion he has been unnecessarily rough with the baby. Mr. James Avery Hester went on to explain that while being emotionally distraught with his spouse, he has attempted to provide care for the baby and used more force than he should have," he told police, while also explaining that even after being called out for his behavior in the past, "he has continued to be too rough with the 4-month-old baby girl because he 'doesn't know his own strength,'" according to the affidavit.
"Heston explained that he does have a history of (being) emotionally upset, and while perhaps not directly related to the 4-month-old baby girl, did in fact result in his rough and forcible behavior with the baby while he attempted to provide care for her, resulting in injuries such as bruising and marks, and ultimately the 4-month-old baby girl's broken ribs," the affidavit continues.
Child abuse resources:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
Help with Children
Those who feel stressed out with a child, who need a break or who feel like they need counseling or training can reach out to one of the following agencies:
- The Family Support Center has 15 locations throughout the state and offers a free crisis nursery for parents who have to keep appointments or who are stressed out. They also offer counseling and family mentoring. Call 801-955-9110 or visit familysupportcenter.org/contact.php for more information.
- Prevent Child Abuse Utah provides home visiting in Weber, Davis, and Box Elder counties. Parent Educators provide support, education, and activities for families with young children. Their statewide education team offers diverse trainings on protective factors, digital safety, bullying, and child sex trafficking. They are available for in-person or virtual trainings and offer free online courses for the community at pcautah.org.
- The Office of Home Visiting works with local agencies to provide home visits to pregnant women and young families who would like to know more about being parents. Home visitors are trained and can provide information about breastfeeding, developmental milestones, toilet training, nutrition, mental health, home safety, child development, and much more. Find out more at homevisiting.utah.gov.
- The Safe Haven law allows birth parents in Utah to safely and anonymously give up custody of their newborn child at any hospital in the state, with no legal consequences and no questions asked. The child's mother can drop off the child, or the mother can ask someone else to do it for her. The newborns should be dropped off at hospitals that are open 24 hours a day. Newborns given up in this manner will be cared for by the hospital staff, and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services will find a home for the child. For more information, visit utahsafehaven.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 866-458-0058.
