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PROVO — A Provo woman was arrested Tuesday after police say she severely abused her infant child and caused multiple skull fractures and life-threatening injuries.
Sydney Michele Kennedy, 21, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of attempted murder.
On Monday, a 3-month-old child was taken to Utah Valley Hospital and soon after flown by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital.
"Sydney Kennedy told hospital staff that she accidentally dropped the infant onto the floor of her bedroom," according to a police booking affidavit. "When the infant arrived at Primary Children's, the doctors discovered three separate skull fractures and active brain bleed that required immediate surgery. The doctor at Primary Children's told me that if that infant had not been immediately flown to their facility for surgery, the infant most likely would have passed away from the severity of the brain injury."
Doctors soon discovered other injuries such as multiple rib fractures, a fractured collarbone and symptoms consistent with shaken baby, the affidavit states. The medical staff became further concerned when the infant's parents left the hospital late that night and did not return nor did they inquire about the status of the child, according to police.
"Provo detectives located the infant's parents at their home … and both were taken to the police station for interviews. The baby's father admitted that he had concerns about (the) infant's safety with the mother. And even expressed that a few days ago Sydney, the mother, told him that she was not sure if she should be alone with her baby," according to the affidavit.
Kennedy then admitted she had caused the critical injuries to the infant, the affidavit alleges.
"Sydney admitted to getting angry because the infant was crying and would not eat," and then shaking and throwing the child, the arrest report says. "Eventually Sydney admitted to getting angry and frustrated and shaking the infant on at least three occasions."
Police noted "the injuries caused by the infant's mother were so severe that any further delay in the emergency treatment would have led to the infant passing away. The infant still may pass away, and is likely to have severe medical difficulties if it does survive. The medical doctor was clear the abuse was ongoing and severe."
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.
