Father may face murder charges

Doctors suspect baby was shaken before weekend death

The 5-month-old victim of suspected child abuse died over the weekend, Battle Creek police said Monday.

An autopsy was scheduled Monday on the body of Shawn D. Brown Jr. at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital after he died Sunday. Doctors said Friday they suspected the child had been shaken, causing serious injuries to his brain.

Results of the autopsy were not immediately released, but on Monday afternoon the baby’s father, Shawn D. Brown Sr., 26, of Battle Creek, was arraigned in Calhoun County District Court on charges of first-degree child abuse. And prosecutors said they expect to file murder charges against Brown as early as today.

Assistant Prosecutor Sarah Lincoln said in court that pending results of the autopsy, her office expects to file either open murder or felony murder charges against Brown in the death of his son.

Battle Creek police were called Friday after Brown took his son to Battle Creek Health System about noon. The infant later was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Brown told authorities he had been feeding the child with formula, and that a short time later, the baby began choking. He told police he attempted to dislodge whatever might be causing the problem first by using the Heimlich maneuver, applying force to the abdomen, and also by using CPR.

However, police were called after doctors determined the child suffered a brain injury from being shaken.

Detective Sgt. Carter Bright said Monday that Brown initially was charged with abuse. He said murder charges will be sought after the diagnosis and because Brown was alone in the house with the child in the first block of West Rittenhouse Avenue.

Doctors told police the injury would have caused almost immediate symptoms. The examination by doctors also showed evidence of previous injuries to the brain, police said.

Because of a prior felony conviction, Brown could face up to 30 years in prison on the child abuse charge. He faces mandatory life in prison without parole if he is charged and convicted of first-degree or felony murder.

During his arraignment, Brown was told by Magistrate Earl Brutsche that his preliminary examination is scheduled Feb. 8. Brutsche set bond at $1.5 million.

The child is the second homicide victim in Calhoun County in 2010.

SOURCE:  http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100126/NEWS01/1260311/Father+may+face+murder+charges