Infant's 20 Broken Ribs Prompt Dad's Arrest: Deputies

PINELLAS PARK, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a 25-year-old father after his 1-month-old daughter suffered at least 20 rib fractures.

According to the sheriff’s office, its investigation into the alleged abuse began on July 11 when the baby girl was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for treatment of broken ribs and bruising. Authorities say the baby’s mother, Sara Nixon, and father, Daniel Nixon, both 25, brought the child in. The Nixons told doctors their little girl was suffering from digestive problems and had a bruise on her leg, an email from the sheriff’s office said.

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Hospital staff, however, discovered “the infant suffered from over 20 rib fractures,” the email pointed out.

Detectives were called to speak with both parents and “identified inconsistencies in Daniel Nixon’s statements,” the email said. Daniel Nixon was interviewed again on July 13 and “admitted to detectives he intentionally squeezed the infant on at least two occasions, with significant force, because the infant was crying and he was frustrated," the email said.

Daniel Nixon was charged on July 13 with one count of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm. The baby was released from the hospital and into the custody of a family member, officials say.

The incidents reportedly occurred at private homes in Seminole and Pinellas Park.

Daniel Nixon was being held in the Pinellas County Jail Friday in lieu of $100,000 bond, jail records indicate.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office