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WILLISTON - A Williston man has been arrested and charged with Class A felony child abuse.
According to a release from the Williston Police Department, he was identified as Jacob Kain Luman.
Police said officers responded to a local medical facility on March 14 in response to a report of suspected child abuse.
Investigators were notified that a female infant, identified in the release as Jane Doe, approximately 5 weeks in age, was at the time receiving medical treatment. Jane Doe was accompanied by her parents, Stephanie Renee Stephens and Jacob Kain Luman.
Medical staff notified investigators there were multiple contusions to the infant's brain consistent with non-accidental trauma. Medical staff observed the infant to have one or more brain bleed(s) and determined that the infant needed to be flown to an out-of-town medical facility for lifesaving measures. The status of the infant is not being released at this time.
According to an affidavit included with the release, officers questioned Stephens and Luman, as well as two individuals they share a residence with. These individuals told investigators that the child had cried "a lot" in the five weeks after it was brought home and that both parents could be heard screaming and shouting as they and the child were unable to sleep.
Two days later during an interview with agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Luman allegedly admitted to repeatedly engaging in violent shaking of Jane Doe, including one incident where he allegedly threw a bassinet containing the infant against a wall.
According to the affidavit, the child sustained serious bodily injury on March 12, but that Luman decided not to take her to receive care. The child was brought into the emergency room by Stephens on March 13 after her condition did not improve.
The Williston Police Department arrested Luman for Class A felony child abuse-victim under six years. Luman is currently in the custody of the Williams County Correction Center.
The investigation is currently on-going, and more information may be released as it becomes available.