MANKATO — An Eagle Lake man faces an assault charge related to a child abuse investigation in February.
Daytin James Zimmerman-Fatis, 23, was charged with first-degree assault Friday in Blue Earth County District Court.
A criminal complaint states the 20-month-old boy needed emergency medical care and was transported to Rochester for treatment of extensive bruising on his body. Medical tests determined he had a lacerated kidney, liver and lower bowels, plus a fracture and ligament injury on his spine. The toddler needed surgery to install pins and stabilize his spine, according to the complaint.
The child’s mother reportedly told police her son went to bed around 8 p.m. and had no bruises visible on his face at that time. Zimmerman-Fatis called her the following morning on Feb. 19 after she went to work, she said, and told her the boy started screaming when Zimmerman-Fatis was in the bathroom.
Police interviewed Zimmerman-Fatis, the complaint states, and he alleged the child injured himself. The child had a tendency to thrash around in the crib during tantrums, he said.
A pediatrician who treated the child told police the injuries were consistent with abuse.
In a follow-up interview on Feb. 22, Zimmerman-Fatis reportedly said he once dropped the child, causing the boy to fall on his spine. He described other instances of the child getting injured, including falls and bites from an aggressive dog.
The injuries couldn’t have been caused by accidental drops or falls from a high chair, according to the pediatrician. The doctor likened the extent of injuries to those caused by motor vehicle or bicycle crashes.
Zimmerman-Fatis also allegedly suggested the injuries could’ve been caused by him picking the child up too quickly. The complaint states he then reported instances when he was playing Xbox, got frustrated and hit the toddler in the head with a controller within recent weeks.
Zimmerman-Fatis’ first appearance in court is set for March 14.