Infant's leg broken; S.L. father is charged

An 18-year-old Salt Lake City father was charged with child abuse in 3rd District Court on Tuesday.

The man was arrested after he and the 9-week-old baby were taken to Primary Children's Medical Center on Sunday. After being questioned by police about the child's broken femur, the man admitted to shaking the baby by his feet and pulling on the baby's legs in an attempt to stop the boy's crying.

The man was also accused of yelling obscenities at the crying baby, according to court documents.

The shaking occurred while the baby's mother was hospitalized for an asthma attack.

The man's second-degree felony charge of child abuse could be punished by between one and 15 years in prison. The family, which also includes a 2-year-old child, is being investigated by the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.