(WWJ) - A 25-year-old father was charged with child abuse after a shaking incident landed his infant son in the hospital, Oakland County officials announced on Wednesday.
Henry Rick Howard of Pontiac faces up to life in prison after admitting to authorities that he shook his 3-month-old son on Jan. 11 after he became upset with the baby's crying -- he then sought medical care after the child fell unresponsive.
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Howard drove his son to an area hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries, the child was airlifted to the Children's Hospital in Detroit where he remains in critical condition.
Detectives were notified by the Wayne County Child Protective Services on Jan. 14 and spoke to doctors who believed the extent of the child's injuries were due to child abuse.
“These types of cases are so incredibly sad,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a press release.
“A baby is such an amazing heavenly gift and to see one abused is heartbreaking. There is never an excuse to hurt a child and this person will be held accountable.”
Police interviewed Howard and the baby's biological mother, who was at work at the time of the incident.
Howard initially maintained his innocence, but after a second interview, he told detectives that he got upset that the baby was crying and shook him several times.
The sheriff's office said Howard has prior felony convictions for carrying a concealed weapon in 2017 and fleeing and eluding police in 2018.
Howard is being held on a $75,000 cash or surety bond at the Oakland County Jail.
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