She pleaded not guilty to the charges in Clark County Municipal Court on Thursday.
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The baby was in critical condition at Dayton Children’s Hospital as of Wednesday, with a skull fracture, three brain bleeds, two broken ribs and a broken leg. The baby has had at least two procedures to relieve pressure and drain the blood from his brain, according to court records.
Carter told police that each time she threw the boy, “she heard a noise equivalent of a thump to the back of the seat, which was (the baby’s) head hitting the back of the seat,” the report says.
The baby began to have seizures two hours later, the report said, which Carter “left untreated by a hospital for well over 12 hours.”
Carter allegedly admitted she caused the injuries, according to court records, saying “she was frustrated because he was crying and she wasn’t getting any help.”
Carter told police she “treats (the baby) differently than she does her 2 year old … (because) she wasn’t ready to have him and doesn’t want him,” the report says.
Prosecutors requested a high bond for Carter because of what they described as the violent nature of the crime. Judge Thomas Trempe set her bond at $100,000.
When asked by the judge if she wanted to say anything about the charges, Carter responded: “I just want to say I’m sorry. I’ve just been having a lot of problems.”
The baby remained in the hospital as of Thursday morning, according to prosecutors.
Parents who feel overwhelmed should reach out to family, friends or community resources like dialing 2-1-1, Clark County Child Advocacy Center Director Wendy Holt said.
“They really need to reach out because if not, that’s when those levels of frustration get so high and people feel overwhelmed,” Holt said, “and bad things can happen.”
Parents often don’t want to seek help, she said, but it could prevent a tragedy.
“We’re all human,” she said. “All of us need help at different times.”
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