West Valley Man in Custody as Baby Fights for Life in Hospital

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — A father faces serious charges after allegedly inflicting severe injuries on his 3-month-old child. Nicholas Perkins, 24, was arrested on Sunday by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office following a distressing report from medical staff.

On January 5, deputies arrived at a residence where the infant was found unresponsive. Medical personnel observed multiple fractures and bruises on the baby, indicating potential abuse. At the time of Perkins’ arrest, the child was reported to be in critical condition and on life support, with uncertainty surrounding the infant’s survival.

Court documents reveal that Perkins initially denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the baby had fallen while he was climbing stairs. However, during questioning, he confessed to shaking the infant out of frustration due to crying. Detectives noted he demonstrated the action he allegedly took.

Perkins is charged with child abuse and has been assigned a cash-only bond of $350,000. Investigators also uncovered evidence of other healing fractures on the infant, suggesting prior incidents of abuse. Perkins attributed these to a fall from a bed in late November but denied further allegations.

According to Claire Louge, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, approximately 300 babies die each year in the U.S. due to abusive head trauma or Shaken Baby Syndrome. She emphasized the critical importance of parental stress management during crying episodes. “Infant crying can be very stressful, and a moment of loss of control can lead to a tragedy like this,” Louge cautioned.

Louge advises parents experiencing stress to take a moment for themselves. “No baby has died from crying,” she stated, underscoring the need for parents to recognize when to seek a breather.

For those needing support or information, resources are available to assist parents in distress.