FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale father pleaded not guilty to battery in Washington County Circuit Court on Friday in connection with his 1-month-old baby suffering a skull fracture.
Anthony Wayne McKown, 29, was arrested June 20. He is charged with first-degree domestic battery and was given an initial court date of Aug. 30.
Police were called June 19 after Northwest Medical Center-Springdale medical personnel determined the baby had a fracture on the left side of his skull, according to an arrest report. A large bruise covered the left side of the baby's face.
Medical personnel said the injury appeared to have been done minutes before arriving at the hospital, according to the report. The injury was consistent with blunt force trauma, according to the report.
The baby's mother left her son with his father while she was at work, according to the report.
McKown told police he picked up the baby from his parents' house and took him to the motel room where he lives at Scottish Inns & Suites at 1219 S. Thompson St.
McKown said he was feeding the baby when the child stopped breathing, according to the report.
McKown is being held at the Washington County Detention Center with a $50,000 bond.
NW News on 07/23/2016