Florida man charged in infant’s death after allegedly striking 'fussy' baby because he was 'stressed'

MELBOURNE, Fla. (TCN) -- A 25-year-old man is in custody after allegedly fatally striking his 6-week-old baby against his knee.

According to an arrest affidavit, on June 10 at approximately 11:11 a.m., officers with the Melbourne Police Department and emergency personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive infant. The victim was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

In the affidavit, a Melbourne Police officer said they met with a doctor who noticed a minor bruise on the baby’s left shoulder and scratches on his face. An autopsy later determined the infant suffered internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma, including contusions, a brain hemorrhage, ocular nerve hemorrhages, and fractures to the clavicle, tibia, ribs, and jawbone. According to the affidavit, the doctor who performed the autopsy also noticed injuries in the process of healing, suggesting prior physical abuse. The baby’s death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.

During an interview, police reportedly spoke with Edrick Davis, who WOFL-TV reports is the father of the victim. Authorities said he appeared "distressed and nervous, displayed by his shaky hands and quivering lips," according to the affidavit. Davis initially told investigators he "accidentally" hit the baby’s head on a door frame and then struck the back of his head with his knee while "trying to prevent him from falling out of his arms."

In another interview, Davis reportedly admitted to detectives that the victim was "fussy and crying, causing him to become stressed." According to the affidavit, Davis said he forcefully struck the back of the infant’s head with his knee multiple times, but he claimed it was unintentional. Furthermore, he reportedly admitted that his actions caused his son’s death.

Police arrested Davis on one count of first-degree felony murder of a child and aggravated child abuse. He remains held in the Brevard County Jail without bond.