BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man admitted to throwing a 1-year-old child into a crib, causing life-threatening injuries requiring treatment in a Springfield, Mo., hospital, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
Dallas Colten Lewallen, 25, was arrested Sunday in connection with battery.
Jay Saxton, Benton County's chief public defender, said at the bond hearing Lewallen has lived in Northwest Arkansas for 10 years and would stay with his aunt in Springdale if released on bond.
Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, recommended a $500,000 bond.
Circuit Judge Robin Green said Lewallen is accused of committing a violent offense and could face a murder charge if the child dies from his injuries. She set bond at $500,000. Lewallen's arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Rogers police received a report a boy was taken from Mercy Hospital to Mercy in Springfield after being diagnosed with a brain bleed, according to the affidavit. The child was listed in critical condition.
Detectives went to Springfield and interviewed Megan Seals, the boy's mother, who said she and Lewallen had been dating four months and he had lived with her and her two children for about two weeks, according to court documents.
Seals said she found Lewallen holding her unconscious son Saturday night, according to the affidavit. Lewallen tried to stop Seals from calling 911, the affidavit states.
Seals told police she believed Lewallen caused her son's injuries because he cried often, according to the affidavit.
The boy's physician said the child's injuries were not consistent with a fall and a level of force was involved in the injuries, according to the affidavit.
Seals' daughter shares a bedroom with her brother and was interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County, according to the affidavit. She repeatedly said "Daddy Dallas" threw her brother and he was dead, according to the affidavit. The girl was asked to show how her brother was thrown and she lifted a doll in the air and threw it to the ground, according to the affidavit. The affidavit did not specify the girl's age.
Lewallen told police he went into the room and saw the boy on the floor having a seizure, according to court documents. Lewallen said the boy landed on his face and had a bloody lip, according to the affidavit. Lewallen said he picked up the child and carried him to his mother, according to the affidavit.
Police confronted Lewallen with the extent of the child's injuries and he admitted throwing the boy and said it was possible the child struck his head against a rail when he threw him into the crib, according to the affidavit.
The boy had surgery to remove a part of his skull to stabilize him, according to the affidavit.
The judge ordered Lewallen not to have any contact with the child.
NW News on 09/05/2018