DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A former Green Township police officer was in court Friday as he faces multiple charges in connection with an incident where the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office said he severely injured an infant he was babysitting.
According to the prosecution, Alexander Grimme has been on a "downward spiral" ever since he crashed his police cruiser while intoxicated in 2021.
"He is a former Marine. We thank him for his service, but your honor, that gives pause to the state, because he is a man with nothing to lose at this point," the prosecution said, asking the judge for a high bond. "He's trained in firearms, and he has a history of violence against those associated with him. We do not know what he is capable of."
Grimme was indicted on two charges of endangering children, felonious assault and strangulation for a Jan. 21 incident in which the infant he was babysitting suffered "abusive head trauma."
WATCH: See the ex-officer, accused of severely hurting an infant, appear in court for the first time in this case
In court, the prosecution said Grimme brought his girlfriend's child to a home in Delhi Township on Jan. 20 for a night of "family camaraderie."
When the infant was put to bed that night, "He had no visible injuries and was acting appropriately, clapping, happy, engaging with the family," she said.
By 11 a.m. the next morning, the baby was unresponsive, lethargic and unable to open his eyes, according to the prosecution.
By around 4 p.m., Grimme took the baby to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for injuries doctors determined were non-accidental. The child has permanent brain damage, officials said, and now faces developmental delays.
"This child’s life has been forever changed in the most tragic way," Prosecutor Connie Pillich said in a release. "It is heartbreaking and infuriating that somebody trusted to care for a baby could cause such harm. We will make sure he is held accountable."
Asking the judge to set a "nominal" bond amount, the attorney representing Grimme on Friday said the former officer turned himself in and has three kids.
"We would ask for a nominal bond on this, (Grimme) does have zero failures to appear, did turn himself in," she said. "He's very anxious to get back to his children."
In asking the judge to set a bond of $750,000, the prosecution stated evidence of what they say Grimme's Google searches were around the time of the alleged incident: "'Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome,' 'Bruises on babies that have been strangled,' 'Does a yellow bruise mean it's healing?'" she said. "He further has different searches about mustard gas and chloroform."
We looked into Grimme's criminal history and found, according to court records, that since the 2021 incident, he has been convicted of an OVI and domestic violence and strangulation. In both cases, he received probation.
The judge set Grimme's bond at $500,000.
"If the defendant does make bond in this matter, it will be an emu lockdown," the judge said. "And, I am going to prohibit contact with children also as a condition of bond in this matter."
Grimme also faces separate charges in Franklin County, Indiana, that allege he injured the same child, the prosecutor said.
"Specifically, healing bone fractures, things of that nature," the prosecution said on Friday. "Abuse that can be attributed to conduct exclusively in Franklin County, Indiana."
If convicted, Grimme faces up to 22 years in prison.
