Authorities in Nassau County, Florida, have arrested a couple on charges related to the severe injury of their 6-month-old child. The parents allegedly fractured the infant’s femur during a diaper change but delayed seeking medical attention for several hours, according to law enforcement reports.
The incident, which occurred on a Monday evening, has been described as “heartbreaking” by Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. He identified the parents as 34-year-old Jasper Shick and 36-year-old Sarah Rediker. Sheriff Leeper emphasized their failure to fulfill their parental duty to protect and care for their child.
“It’s truly heartbreaking,” Sheriff Leeper remarked. “We feel for this child who depends entirely on their parents for safety. Unfortunately, in this case, the parents did not fulfill their responsibility.”
The deputies reported that the incident took place around 7 p.m. They detailed that Shick, while changing the baby’s diaper, became overwhelmed with frustration.
“As children often are, the baby was fussy,” Sheriff Leeper explained. “In his frustration, the father reportedly squeezed the child with such force that it resulted in a broken femur and an injured elbow.”
“The child was fussy, which children tend to be,” Leeper said. “The father just got frustrated and squeezed the child so hard he broke the femur and also hurt the elbow.”
Leeper said Shick admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before the incident. When investigators entered the family’s Fernandina Beach home, they reported finding marijuana residue and numerous empty alcohol containers.
Instead of calling 911, detectives say the couple waited more than three hours to bring the child to the hospital, after the baby’s grandmother returned home.
“They were afraid of what may happen when people found out what actually occurred,” Leeper said.
Shick is charged with aggravated child abuse. Both are charged with child neglect and making false statements to investigators.
“They’re felonies, and we’ll see how it goes through the criminal justice system,” Leeper said.
Leeper also said Rediker told investigators that Shick had previously been mentally and physically abusive toward her.
The sheriff described the case as devastating and urged parents to remain calm when caring for children.
“You have to be the adult in the room,” Leeper said. “Make sure the child gets what they need and don’t go overboard and hurt the child.”
The bond for Rediker was set at $50,000, while Shick’s bond is set at $125,000. Both remain in custody.
Leeper said the case remains under investigation, and additional charges could be filed.
