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Norfolk couple arrested for child neglect after father accused of shaking infant

Posted at 12:58 PM, Mar 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-30 12:58:22-04

NORFOLK, Va. – A couple has been arrested for child neglect after the father violently shook his two-month-old baby, according to a search warrant.

On February 10, the parents left the baby with his grandmother for a date night. The search warrant states that the baby’s grandmother noticed he had severe bruising on his forehead and eyes. The grandmother informed the parents of the bruising and told them to take him to a hospital.

The parents took the baby to Sentara Leigh Hospital for treatment. A CT scan showed the victim had no skull fractures or breaks. The child was released to his parents.

On March 13, the baby was taken to CHKD after he had a seizure. MRI results showed severe brain injuries.

The mother, Madison Jewell, was interviewed by detectives and said her fiance, Travis Emerson, would shake the child violently.

On March 14, police responded to CHKD with Child Protective Services in reference to the incident.

A doctor told investigators the child had areas of bleeding in his brain. Based on the injuries, the doctor said the baby was shaken at least twice since his CT scan in February.

The doctor told detectives the baby would never function normally again and have significant developmental delays due to the trama.

Jewell told detectives she had seen Emerson, the baby’s father, shake the baby violently approximately 50 times since birth. Jewell showed investigators text messages between her and Emerson discussing the baby’s injuries.

Emerson, 24, was arrested for two counts of child neglect and two counts of aggravated malicious wounding. Jewell, 22, was arrested for two counts of child neglect.