The victim, a two-month-old baby, is in critical condition with a skull fracture and multiple fractures to his leg and ribs, sheriff’s deputies say.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Deputies have accused a Tampa man of striking a two-month-old baby in the head and broke the child’s femur and ribs.

Kent Hawkins Johnson Sr., 23, of 1340 Windsor Way, Tampa, was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse. The baby, whose name is being withheld under state privacy law, is listed in “extremely critical condition” at a local hospital, deputies say.

Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies say they found out about the alleged child abuse on Monday (Dec. 28) when the victim was brought into the hospital with severe injuries. The arrest warrant describes the situation:

“On 12/19/15 the defendant, Kent Hawkins Johnson Sr., was in sole care and custody of the two-month-old male victim when the victim suffered multiple fractures of his ribs and femur. On 12/27/15 at approximately 4 p.m., the defendant struck the victim with his hand on the victim’s head. A doctor with the child protection team examined the victim on 12/28/15 and noted the victim had a skull fracture that occurred within the past 24 hours. The fractured ribs and femur occurred approximately seven to 10 days prior to the examination. …

“The defendant advised he held the victim over his head with the victim on his shoulders and spun him in circles. The defendant advised he fell and the victim fell on the tile floor and advised the victim cried for approximately 30 minutes. The defendant subsequently picked the child up off of the floor by the leg. The defendant advised the fractured ribs and leg were likely a result of that incident. The defendant also advised he intentionally struck the victim on his head on 12/27/15 after the victim was crying.”

Deputies say the investigation is continuing.

For information about the Hillsborough sheriff, go to hcso.tampa.fl.us.

Photo is of Kent Hawkins Johnson Sr.

Hillsborough County | Hillsborough Sheriff | Child Abuse | Crime | Kent Hawkins Johnson Sr. | TB Reporter

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