Teen Mother, 17, Injured 5-Week-Old Infant, Deputies Say
Pinellas deputies said she admitted intentionally throwing the baby on the floor out of frustration. The infant’s twin brother was not harmed.
LARGO – A 17-year-old mother was arrested Friday (March 22) after she admitted throwing her 5-week-old baby on the floor in frustration, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.
Qadayshia Ward, 17, of Largo, was charged with one count of Aggravated Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm/Permanent Disfigurement.
Detectives said they began their investigation about 1 a.m. Thursday (March 21) after being notified that a 5-week-old baby with a skull fracture and brain bleed had been admitted to John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg on Wednesday (March 20) evening.
Detectives were told the baby was at home with Ward, his mother, and his twin brother, when the incident happened. The twin brother did not sustain any injuries.
The baby’s grandmother, 53-year-old Forshunder Ward, had left for work about 6:20 a.m. Wednesday. She left Qadayshia Ward at home with her twin sons. Forshunder Ward checked on Qadayshia ward and the boys throughout the day and was told there were no issues.
When the baby’s grandmother returned home about 4 p.m., she tried to feed one of the infants and saw that he was showing signs of discomfort and was not eating. The baby was lethargic, not acting normally, and that his head was misshapen. Forshunder Ward told deputies she took the infant to the hospital.
Qadayshia Ward told investigators that she was the only person home with her twin infants that day. Qadayshia Ward provided several versions of what happened to the baby, which did not appear consistent with the injuries, detectives said.
Medical staff told detectives that the infant’s injuries could have only come from intentional abuse, and were not accidental. The injuries consisted of a fractured skull, a brain hemorrhage, and possible brain damage.
Detectives interviewed Qadayshia Ward on Friday. They said she admitted intentionally throwing the baby on the floor out of frustration.
The injured infant remains in the hospital for treatment and the twin infant also remains in the hospital until he is released into foster care.
Pinellas Sheriff | Crime | Child Abuse | Arrests | Tampabay News
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