Unresponsive 3-month-old boy found with visible jaw injuries died hours after his frustrated 18-year-old father applied pressure to his chin and neck; father arrested
Tennessee – In a deeply disturbing case out of Tennessee, an 18-year-old father, identified as A. Dokes, is facing a first-degree murder charge after killing his 3-month-old son during a moment of frustration. The baby, who was found unresponsive with visible injuries to his face, later died at a children’s hospital. Police say the father admitted to applying hard pressure to the child’s chin and neck and pushing on his abdomen before calling for help.
The tragic events unfolded around 8:00 p.m. on September 11 when officers from the police department were dispatched to an apartment after receiving a call about an unresponsive infant. When officers arrived, they found the baby boy with visible injuries to his jaw. He was quickly transported to a children’s hospital, but despite emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead just after midnight.
Authorities quickly identified the child’s father, Dokes, as the sole caregiver present at the time of the incident. Dokes was detained at the scene and taken to the police station for questioning. During a custodial interview, Dokes admitted that he had applied hard pressure to the boy’s chin and neck in frustration, actions which caused the child to struggle to breathe. He also confessed to pushing hard on the infant’s abdomen.
Dokes was officially arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse, a charge that implies the fatal injuries occurred during the commission of another serious crime. He was booked into the county jail around 2 a.m. on Friday, September 12, and is currently being held on a $1 million bond. An autopsy is being conducted at the regional forensic center to determine the full extent of the child’s injuries and confirm the exact cause of death. Preliminary reports describe the injuries as severe, further supporting the murder charge.
According to the arrest warrant, Dokes didn’t attempt to hide what he had done. During his police interview, he openly admitted to harming his son in a fit of frustration. Investigators found the physical evidence consistent with his confession, including injuries to the jaw area that matched the kind of force described. Though no motive beyond frustration has been given, prosecutors emphasize that the young father’s actions were both intentional and fatal. While there are no reports of prior abuse, the sudden and violent nature of the crime has shocked the community.
Dokes is scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing on Monday, September 15. If convicted, he faces life in prison due to the seriousness of the charge. Tennessee law treats the murder of a child during aggravated abuse as one of the most serious offenses, and prosecutors are expected to pursue the case aggressively. This heartbreaking case serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked emotions and the vulnerability of the most defenseless among us. The baby’s life was just beginning when it was violently taken by the very person expected to protect him. As the investigation continues, the community grieves and waits for justice to be served.
