A married Ohio father who runs a chiropractic office with his wife, who is also a physical therapist, has been accused of inflicting brain damage and 28 rib fractures on their 3-month-old infant because the baby was “fussy” and he wanted a boy instead.
Jason Bittner, 33, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in a Warren County, Ohio courtroom. In advance of the arraignment and a subsequent release on bond, prosecutor David Fornshell described Bittner as “resentful” the baby was not born a boy and that he was “very intolerant of the fact that she fussed.”
The Bittners have another young daughter.
Bittner entered a not guilty plea to charges of child endangerment and felonious assault on Wednesday, and left the premises after posting $2,500 of the $25,000 bond set.
Jason Bittner’s attorney enters not guilty plea. Prosecution asks for $100k bond and no contact with victim or minor children if released. Attorney says he has several character references and client has successful business @Local12 pic.twitter.com/vibWtDhFIh
— Larry Davis (@LarryDavisWKRC) March 21, 2018
Jason Bittner posted bond. Bittner just got the same treatment as Skylar Richardson. While all of the other people leaving on house arrest left through front doors, he was allowed to leave through the side door. Left through board of elections door and hopped in black SUV. pic.twitter.com/uYyVSmGN6b
— Karin Johnson WLWT (@karinjohnson) March 21, 2018
A WLWT reporter relaying court documents said Bittner was home with the infant and a 2-year-old daughter while his wife went to work. The infant was reportedly left in a baby bouncer without being secured.
According to court documents, Mason police said Jason Bittner was home alone with his three month old daughter and two-year-old daughter when his wife left for work on Feb 26 & he left his newborn in a baby bouncer that did not have a harness restraint or safety gear activated
— Karin Johnson WLWT (@karinjohnson) March 21, 2018
The infant’s brain injuries were described by WXIX as “traumatic.” She has, however, been released from intensive care.
Prosecutor Forshnell said these injuries, plus the 28 rib fractures, were “inconsistent with an explanation that this was some type of accident.”
Jason Bittner was arrested at his West Chester chiropractor office Friday for allegedly abusing his three-month old baby girl. @WCProsFornshell tells us Bittner was resentful his second baby was a girl and not a boy. Baby has severe brain injuries and 28 fractured ribs #WLWT pic.twitter.com/SmBtFNflZw
— Amanda Kelley (@AmandaWLWT) March 20, 2018
Bittner was elsewhere described as a “devout Christian.”
[Image Source: Warren County Jail]
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