Infant suffers brain damage after mother's boyfriend admits to 'bear hugging'
NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. - A Missouri severely injured infant is out of the hospital after his mother's ex-boyfriend admitted to "bear hugging" the baby after a fall.
Bessie Burbridge of Newton County said last month, she was at home with her 10-month-old son, Waylon, and her then boyfriend, Jordan.
Burbridge said she had placed the baby in a bouncer while she used the bathroom.
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"I was only in the bathroom for maybe a minute at the most, and Jordan just came in screaming with him [Waylon] in his arm," she told FOX Television Stations. "He was completely limp and not breathing."
Burbridge said she dialed 911 and tried to administer CPR. First responders had arrived and took Waylon to the hospital.
Local authorities got involved and interviewed Jordan, according to Burbridge.
10-month-old Waylon is recovering from severe brain injuries after his mother's boyfriend admitted that he "bear hugged" him. (Credit: Bessie Burbridge)
Burbridge said her ex-boyfriend told authorities that he was playfully tossing Waylon in the air. However, he failed to catch the infant the second time and Waylon fell onto the ground.
Burbridge said Jordan confessed that "He [Waylon] hit the ground, and it made him scream more so than he {Jordan} bear hugged him until he stopped crying."
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However, doctors and investigators believe Waylon suffered from shaken baby syndrome, which can result in a serious brain injury, according to the Mayo Clinic.
"I've known Jordan for about four years," Burbridge added. "I never thought he could do something like this."
The mother said her son suffered severe injuries to the brain and other areas. She said her son now suffers from limited vision, seizures and muscle tightness, which possibly could leave him in physical therapy for the rest of his life.
"It's definitely been a roller coaster of emotions," she said.
However, she said Waylon has beaten the odds and has recovered more than what the doctors had anticipated. She said Waylon has regained mobility.
"He's been proving them wrong every step of the way," she continued.
Burbridge said her ex-boyfriend is now behind bars on child abuse charges. She also said that she had filed a restraining order against him.
In the meantime, she has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.
"I feel like Waylon's stories should be out there," she said.
FOX Television Stations has reached out to the Newton County Sheriff's Office for comment.