Someone else has been charged in a case involving a 4-month-old in Lewis County who unfortunately sustained severe injuries, including brain bleeds and a fractured skull. Eric Auen faced four child abuse charges for allegedly abusing the infant while “blacked out” between Sept. and Dec.

Officials report that 22-year-old Alexis Benedum from Orlando, failed to seek medical aid for the infant after several cases of abuse. Reports noted that she also injured the child herself. The criminal complaint states the infant, born in August, indicated signs of abuse up to seven times between Sept. 3 and Dec. 6.

Sadly, the infant suffered skull, rib, and arm fractures, bruises, and brain injury, but Benedum allegedly didn’t seek medical assistance for four incidents. A Nov. 29 text from Benedum questioned if Auen could be charged for an injury he claimed was a mistake, which indicated that she knew of the abuse. Yet, she never reported her suspicions, ensured the child wasn’t alone with Auen, or sought aid, according to the complaint.

She went with Auen to a mental health evaluation on Nov. 3, where he admitted thinking about harming the child and even described violent thoughts. After Auen’s arrest, Benedum confessed in an interview that she had forcefully shoved a pacifier into the baby’s mouth back in Oct. or Nov. to stop the crying, which caused the baby to bleed from the mouth.

In the interview, Benedum confessed to knowing that Auen might have been deliberately harming the child. She faces “six child neglect charges” and one “child abuse” charge. Officials say that the investigation continues, and more charges could be filed.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?