A 28-year-old man from Indiana was taken into custody this week for allegedly physically harming his 6-month-old child. The baby was admitted to the hospital with fractures in both arms and legs, which the father claimed were caused by tight swaddling and “rough diaper changes.”
Tristan Dean Gerhardt was arrested on Monday and is facing charges of felony domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person under 14, as well as felony neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime.
A case report from the Westfield Police Department has confirmed that officers received information on July 29, 2024, regarding a person of interest named Gerhardt, who was believed to be located at his residence on Scarlet Street. At approximately 11:19 p.m., the police successfully executed an arrest warrant and apprehended Gerhardt without any complications.
Additional details about the circumstances of Gerhardt’s arrest were provided in a probable cause affidavit obtained by Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN.
As per the report, on May 1, 2024, the police were called to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital regarding an infant who was suspected to be a victim of child abuse. The 6-month-old baby suffered multiple injuries, including fractures in the upper and lower parts of the left arm, the upper part of the right arm, the lower part of the left leg, and the upper and lower parts of the right leg.
Doctors noted scarring around the gums and lips of the child, suggesting that something had been inserted into the infant’s mouth. This issue had been present since the victim was approximately 3 weeks old.
According to doctors treating the victim, they observed that the baby had several bone fractures known as classic metaphyseal lesions (CMLs). These fractures, also known as “corner” or “bucket handle” fractures, typically occur near growth plates in immature bones and are often a sign of physical abuse. According to doctors, the injuries suffered by the victim are usually caused by strong and sudden movements, resulting in damage to the bone.
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According to the child’s mother, Gerhardt was responsible for taking care of the child during the day due to her work commitments. According to the affidavit obtained by WXIN, Gerhardt informed the police that the injuries may have resulted from tightly wrapping the baby in swaddles and some challenging diaper changes.
According to doctors, the injuries inflicted on the victim cannot be explained by normal infant care or even “rough diaper changes,” authorities have been told.
Changing an infant’s diaper in a manner that causes harm to their legs due to excessive pulling or jerking is sometimes referred to as a ‘rough diaper change.’ The doctor expressed strong disapproval of the situation, stating that the fractures on an infant caused by a parent changing their diaper would be considered abusive.
According to a family member, Gerhardt’s behavior while interacting with the infant was concerning, as reported to the police.
According to a family member, investigators reported that Tristan displays aggressive behavior, has a short fuse, and frequently raises their voice toward the victim when the victim’s mother is not present.
After the incident, Gerhardt allegedly sent a troubling message to the victim’s mother, suggesting that he had previous interactions with child services.
“I’ve experienced this situation in the past,” he allegedly wrote. “I feel like I’m losing both of you.”
On Tuesday, Gerhardt appeared virtually for his initial hearing before Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Garrison. The judge determined that there was probable cause for the arrest and set Gerhardt’s bond at $150,000. He is still in the Hamilton County Detention Center as of Thursday afternoon.
A hearing has been scheduled for October 7, 2024.
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