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PROVO — A Payson woman was charged Monday with severely abusing her infant son, including causing multiple skull fractures.
Sydney Michele Kennedy, 21, is charged in 4th District Court with attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony.
On Jan. 15, Kennedy took her 3-month-old son to Utah Valley Hospital, saying she had accidentally dropped him on a carpeted floor. But doctors quickly determined the infant's injuries were much greater and flew him to Primary Children's Hospital, according to charging documents.
Doctors at Primary "determined that he suffered four skull fractures and a fractured clavicle. He also had a rib fracture that was 10 to 14 days old," in addition to other injuries, the charges state.
The treating physician noted that the boy "has sustained at least two different episodes of inflicted trauma as evidenced by the healing rib fracture and now the head injuries," according to the charges. The doctor also said the boy is extremely small for his age, "which was 'concerning for lack of adequate nutrition.'"
Once confronted with the extent of the injuries, Kennedy admitted to becoming frustrated with her son because he would not stop crying and would not eat, and then shaking him and throwing him, the charges allege.
"(She) also admitted that when she is frustrated, she hits the baby's face with an open hand and shakes him, and will sometimes throw him into the bassinet or changing table. (She) said that on more than one occasion, she has thrown the baby and caused him to hit his head on the side of the bassinet or on the metal railing around the changing table. (Kennedy) had told the baby's father previously that the baby was not safe with her," the charges state.
Provo police arrested Kennedy on Jan.16. At that time, police noted that "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.
