Reported by: Bill Price
Web produced by: Ian PreuthOn the same day a Covington man was arraigned for murdering a three month-old baby boy, we also learned chilling new details about the extent of the baby's injuries.
It's expected that 24 year-old Aaron Allen, a Covington roofer, will remain locked up at the Kenton County Jail, under a $250,000 cash bond. On Friday, Allen was arraigned from the Kenton County Jail via a video link with District Court, across the street.
Allen faces felony wanton murder charges in the death of his girlfriend's three month-old baby boy, last month.
Allen allegedly admitted to Covington Police, that back on July 30, he violently shook Robert Ross, Jr. The incident happened at the City Heights apartment of the mother of the child who was Allen's girlfriend.
Kenton Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders tells 9News, "There was evidence of physical injuries to the child, both when he presented at Children's Hospital (and earlier at St. Elizabeth Hospital) that made those medical professionals suspicious of intentionally inflicted child abuse."
A police report indicates the baby suffered greatly. It says Allen admitted to 'wantonly' shaking Robert Ross Jr., until his eyes rolled back into his head."
The report says Allen also admitted to "jerking the victim up by his left leg and striking the victim's head against a door frame."
Among the injuries doctors found after Ross Jr. died:
A skull fractureHemorrhages to both eyesClavicle fracturesNumerous rib fracturesLeg fracturesWrist and forearm fractures.In court, we saw Allen try to plead guilty during his arraignment. "Sir, I'd like to speak up and plead guilty." District Judge: "You can not,...I can not take any pleas."
Allen was told that he could face life in prison or even the death penalty on the felony murder charges.
Sanders says he's seen this disturbing pattern of deadly child abuse before, among boyfriends of young mothers, who are not the childrens' father. Sanders adds, "The baby starts crying as babies always do and they get frustrated and lose their tempers and ultimately the baby pays a price. In this case, the baby paid a dire price."
When Allen goes back before a judge next week, it's expected he'll have a public defender helping him decide if he wants to formally enter a "guilty" plea or withdraw it and go to trial.
