A New Franklin woman has been charged with a felony for allegedly shaking her baby on December 20, 2018.
A probable-cause statement says authorities received a report about a 2-month-old male child at a hospital in Columbia, who had been admitted the day before due to injuries sustained from the mother allegedly shaking him. The report also says 20-year-old Devoney Katelynn Bretz reportedly admitted to hospital staff that she lost it when the baby was crying, and she began shaking him at about 11:30 a.m. Bretz said she took the baby to a babysitter about 1:30 p.m., and he began to projectile vomit later that evening.
Bretz reportedly acknowledged to investigators that she feels the baby needs to be in a safe environment; and she needs help with postpartum depression and anger management.
When authorities talked to hospital staff members, they said the baby showed signs of bruising near his right eye and around the bridge of his nose. Bretz was taken into custody, and the baby was taken into protective custody.
According to online court documents, a criminal summons has been issued and Bretz has been charged with a Class D Felony for Endangering the Welfare of a Child- Creating a Substantial Risk- in the First Degree- No Sexual Conduct.
Bretz’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on February 11, at Howard County Circuit Court.