Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – D’Angelo Javon Hill, aged 23, was taken into custody yesterday for allegedly not reporting at least 10 cases of child abuse involving a four-month-old baby, who was hospitalized in July with six fractured bones.
Anecia Yvonne Graham, 22, the baby’s mother, was detained in July facing child abuse charges, and a judge has recently commanded that she be held without bail leading up to her trial.
The investigating officer stated that medical personnel indicated the fractures were typical of aggressive actions like yanking or pulling, and the numerous fractures were “alarmingly high,” contradicting Graham’s claim that the injuries occurred during swaddling. A surgeon reportedly noted that the injuries did not appear accidental and “were inflicted upon the child,” but couldn’t definitively conclude whether they were intentional.
During an initial interview, a detective mentioned that Hill claimed “the only possible explanation” for the most recent fracture was the infant “overextending her arm”; however, he couldn’t account for the other fractures, which were healing at different stages.
A search of Graham’s phone allegedly uncovered messages between her and Hill discussing 10 instances where Graham admitted to harming or injuring the baby or having difficulty controlling her actions.
On April 17, Graham allegedly texted that she had hurt the infant’s neck and felt she deserved punishment, to which Hill replied, “if you being punished or hurt, how are you gonna take care of me then?”
On April 22, Graham reportedly texted that she had scratched the infant’s cheek because she hadn’t cut her nails. Hill reportedly did not ask how the infant was injured or whether Graham needed help but told Graham, “you wanna leave which is doing the opposite of what you should be doing.”
On May 1, Graham reportedly texted that she was being “absolutely rough with [the infant] and not nice,” and Hill responded that he hoped she had an “amazing day” and said the infant “will be fine.”
On May 8, Hill reportedly texted that he would “have to get police involved,” but there are no records of any call or report to law enforcement.
On June 5, Graham reportedly texted that the infant “is gonna make me catch a murder case,” and Hill told her to “take a breather.” He reportedly did not ask whether the child was injured or what had happened.
On June 18, Graham reportedly texted that she “had a minor episode on her and I feel horrible even though she’s okay and sleeping,” and Hill responded that he hoped she hadn’t hurt the baby by accident. He also reportedly told her to “calm down” and said he missed her.
The detective reported that after reviewing the above texts and others, “it became evident that [Hill] had knowledge of at least 10 specific instances where [Graham] caused injuries to [the infant], stated she was a danger to [the infant], or tried to leave [the infant] to prevent injuries to [the infant]. Despite having this knowledge, there is no evidence that [Hill] took any action to remove [the infant] from the situation, which eventually led to numerous fractures, scratches, and bruises and ultimately the injury requiring surgery on [July 5], resulting in [Graham] being criminally charged with aggravated child abuse.”
Post Miranda, Hill reportedly said he should have called law enforcement sooner to prevent the child from being injured.
Hill has been charged with child neglect with great bodily harm and 10 counts of failing to report child abuse. He has no local criminal history, and Judge Phillip Pena set bail at $150,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
