A 5-month old baby is recovering at Miami Children's Hospital after his older brother apparently shoved a screwdriver in his ear, according to Homestead police spokesman Capt. Ed Bowe.
Fire Rescue officials were called to a home in the 250 block of NE 10th Street Sunday night just after 11:20 p.m. when Latasha Bailey heard her baby son crying in another room of her apartment. When she ran back to the room, she found her 4-year old son standing next to the baby who had a screwdriver wedged in his ear.
The infant was screaming in his crib. The screwdriver was lodged so deeply in the infant's ear that it might have caused brain damage according to some first responders on the scene who saw the child before he was rushed to Miami Children's Hospital via air rescue helicopter.
Bailey asked the hospital not to release information about her son and declined to speak to CBS4 News. While the hospital could not provide a condition, authorities say that condition has stabilized.
Neighbors are horrified.
"It's gruesome, considering I'm a parent. I have a kid," said Robert Flanagan.
"He's just a 5-month old. His life might be in danger," a shocked Victoria Brooks said.
Police say it appears Bailey's 4-year-old son inserted the screwdriver in his little brother's ear. It's not known how long it was there before Bailey heard her son's screams.
"I've seen a lot in my 27 years, but I can't recall seeing a case like this one," Captain Ed Bowe told CBS4's Peter D'Oench.
D'Oench asked Captain Bowe if the mother gave a statement saying her 4-year-old son had assaulted his sibling.
"She gave implications to that effect," said Bowe. "She indicated that there was the possibility that that had happened."
"I feel this is the worst thing that can happen to a child. At that age, you have to be careful," said neighbor Rachad Williams. "You have to pay attention to children at that age."
Neighbors say Latasha Bailey is a single mother.
"It's very shocking. She's very quiet. She's usually very attentive to the kids," according to neighbor Robert Flanagan.
Homestead police have never had a case like this one and are not sure where this will lead. Captain Ed Bowe says all avenues will be explored and he promises a thorough investigation.
Bowe said, "Any time children are involved in something like this, we take this very seriously. We are deeply concerned when children are hurt or injured."
Reporting