Father charged in assault of infant

A Hodgenville man accused of injuring his 8-month-old son was charged Sept. 18 with first-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Chad T. Frith, 32, of College Heights, told officers he “became upset with the child because it wouldn’t stop crying,” said Lt. Steve Johnson of Hodgenville City Police.

There was also evidence of bruising on the baby’s face and chest, Johnson said.

Both Johnson and Chief John Cottrill are investigating.

That morning, the baby’s mother went to a local restaurant to buy breakfast for the family, leaving the baby with its father, said Johnson. When she got back home, the baby was “spitting up and vomiting blood.”

“They had just moved here from Oldham County and did not have a local pediatrician,” said Johnson. “So she called the one (she used) in Oldham County and took the baby up there.”

The mother told Johnson the baby had a toy in his mouth just before he spit up blood.

“She thought he had cut himself with it,” said Johnson.

The pediatrician examined the infant and found bruising around the child’s ears, mouth, chin, throat and chest. The doctor notified Child Protective Services of suspected abuse.

The child was later taken to Kosair Children’s Hospital and examined, Johnson said. A preliminary report did not note internal injuries or injuries consistent with being shaken.

“It will be two weeks before we have an official report from the forensics examination team,” said Johnson.

Frith told police he grabbed the baby’s jaw when it wouldn’t stop crying. His hand “could have briefly been over its mouth,” he told Johnson.

Frith said he ran his finger into the child’s mouth and later noticed some blood. His fingernail may have nicked the roof of the child’s mouth, Johnson said.

Frith is being held at the LaRue County jail on $50,000 bond. He will be arraigned Oct. 1 in LaRue District Court.

The child is in care of its mother, authorities said.

Johnson said the couple has another son, 18-months-old.