Evansville parents arrested after infant suffers traumatic brain injury, sheriff says

Jon Webb, Evansville Courier & Press
·2 min read
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EVANSVILLE – Two parents have been arrested after their infant suffered "life-threatening injuries," including a skull fracture and subdural hematomas, according to investigators with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office.

The child, a boy who hasn't been publicly identified, isn't likely to survive, Sheriff Noah Robinson said. His exact age wasn't listed.

According to a news release from the sheriff's office, Cheyenne Elmore-Sitz, 23, and 31-year-old Javontae Goldsby both face charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, a Level 1 felony, and aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony.

Neither of their cases appeared in court records as of Monday afternoon. Both have denied hurting the child.

Elmore-Sitz and Goldsby called 911 just after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and said the boy wasn't breathing, the release states. As the child lay in his crib, Goldsby administered CPR until EMS and Evansville Fire Department officials arrived. They were able to restore a pulse, and the child was rushed to Ascension St. Vincent and placed on a ventilator.

After he was stabilized, he was taken to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indianapolis and put on life support.

The boy reportedly suffered a skull fracture, subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhages and subarachnoid bleeding – injuries "consistent with violent shaking and/or an impact," the release states. Doctors diagnosed him with a traumatic brain injury.

"The injuries were found to be consistent with abusive head trauma and were described by doctors as inflicted injuries," the release states. ".... Medical personnel advised that the infant’s life-threatening condition would have been obvious around the time the infant was reportedly put to bed."

According to the release, neither Elmore-Sitz nor Goldsby could explain the boy's injuries, and they reportedly gave "conflicting statements" over who put the boy to bed.

Both were arrested Monday and placed in the Vanderburgh County jail without bond. Their charge on the website was listed as "neglect of a dependent causing death," but Robinson said the boy was still alive as of Monday afternoon.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville parents arrested after infant suffers serious brain injury