8-month-old boy critically injured after his father slammed him against a wall just because he was frustrated over a video game score; father arrested

Wisconsin – In a distressing incident in Wisconsin, a 20-year-old man, identified as J. White, faces severe criminal charges after he inflicted severe injuries on an 8-month-old boy in a moment of anger triggered by a video game. The child, although still alive, is unfortunately not expected to survive the injuries sustained from being slammed against a wall.

The horrifying event unfolded last week on Tuesday in the home where White lived with his son and the boy’s mother, as reported by local authorities. White, the person responsible for the baby at the time, was engrossed in playing NBA2K, a basketball-themed video game. His frustration with the game, specifically being down two points in the fourth quarter, led him to commit an act of violence against the young boy.

According to the criminal complaint, the baby’s mother, who shares a room with White in her parents’ home, had returned to work that day, leaving the boy in White’s care. She returned briefly to the house to purchase marijuana and discovered her son in distress when she returned. She found the 8-month-old boy in his playpen exhibiting concerning symptoms; he was barely breathing, and his right arm was twitching. In a panic, she took the child to her father, who advised her to immediately call 911.

Medical professionals at the hospital diagnosed the infant with multiple traumatic injuries, including skull fractures, six broken ribs, and a previously healing broken collar bone. The severity of these injuries led them to the grim prognosis that the child would likely not survive.

During his interrogation, White initially offered various accounts of how the injuries might have occurred, suggesting at one point that the child had fallen from an air mattress. However, none of his explanations aligned with the critical nature of the injuries observed. Eventually, under the pressure of questioning, White confessed to throwing the infant against the wall. “My son hit his head on the wall. He hit his head hard on the wall, bro,” White was quoted in the complaint. “I heard the wall … It was a loud hard wall.”

In his first court appearance, White faced County Court Commissioner A. Bolender, who was informed of the confession and the circumstances leading to the tragic event. White, visibly emotional and in tears during the hearing, listened as the potential escalation of his charges was discussed, pending the child’s survival. Currently held on a $100,000 bond, White could face more than 60 years in prison if convicted of the child abuse charges. The charges could be elevated to homicide if the child succumbs to his injuries, resulting in a possible life sentence.

“The medical personnel have indicated that this child, sadly, is not expected to live to which case these charges will be increased to a homicide,” Bolender stated during the proceedings, highlighting the grave nature of the case.

Assistant District Attorney M. Witte emphasized the severity of the act, noting the extreme violence inflicted upon an innocent infant. Meanwhile, the community and law enforcement expressed their shock and condemnation of the brutal act, exacerbated by its senseless connection to a video game loss.

As the legal process unfolds, the community and the victim’s family grapple with the devastating impact of this senseless act of violence, while calls for justice for the young boy grow louder. The child’s mother also faces charges, details of which are pending, adding another layer of complexity and tragedy to the already heartbreaking case.