A 24-year-old father is facing multiple charges after his 11-week-old daughter suffered life threatening injuries in what police believe was an intentional act of brutality.
Douglas police reported Friday that, on June 20, authorities responded to Coffee Regional Medical Center in reference to a possible case of child abuse. Officers were advised the infant female had sustained multiple life threatening injuries that included trauma to her head. Due to the severity of the child’s condition, the infant was transported to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville Fla., where an examination determined her injuries were non-accidental in nature.
The child suffered two independent fractures to her skull, multiple fractured ribs and a fractured femur (leg).
Officials stated that investigators from the Douglas Police Department worked with the Department of Family and Children Services in both Georgia and Florida, along with medical staff, and determined that the injuries occurred while she was in the sole custody of the father.
On Friday, Douglas police investigators obtained warrants for the arrest of the father, identified as Ferris Battle. He was arrested and charged with aggravated battery (family violence) and cruelty to children in the first degree.
Battle was taken into custody at Wolfsom Medical Center by the Duval County (Fl.) Sheriff’s Office. He is currently incarcerated at the Duval County Jail awaiting extradition back to Douglas.
Police are requesting that anyone with any information that could assist in this case to contact the Douglas Police Dept. at (912) 384-2222 or the Tips Line at (912) 260-3600. Information can also be shared on the department’s Facebook page.