News

Actions

PD: Dad arrested for shaking 5-month-old son

Posted at 5:31 PM, Dec 02, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-02 17:31:55-05

A Plain Township father was arrested for allegedly violently shaking his 5-month-old son.

Kenneth Flickinger, 26, was released from the Wayne County jail on Wednesday without being charged. The case will be presented to a grand jury, according to Captain Doug Hunter.

On Nov. 23, Flickinger and the child's mother took the baby to Wooster Community Hospital after he became unresponsive. He was then flown by medical helicopter to Akron Children's Hospital. 

Originally, Flickinger told investigators that the baby fell backward while he was changing his diaper and hit his head, but doctors said the baby's injuries were not consistent with that story, according to Hunter.

When investigators interviewed Flickinger for a second time Tuesday, he said the baby did fall, but he also admitted to shaking the baby because he wouldn't stop crying.

The baby suffered serious injuries, but has since been released from the hospital. Officials say his condition is improving, but it will be about a year before they know if he suffered any permanent damage. 

Flickinger was living with the mother and the baby at the time of the incident. The baby is currently in the mother's care.

Authorities will ask the grand jury to consider a charge of felony child endangering.