KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A Kalamazoo mother is now facing charges of child abuse, just weeks after the father of the 2-month-old infant was charged.
The father, Paul Preston, was charged on May 31 with five counts of first-degree child abuse in Kalamazoo County’s 8th District Court. And now the mother, Norene Burkhead is facing at least one count of child abuse.
A doctor at Bronson Hospital reported the suspected child abuse to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety on May 23 after the infant showed up with life-threatening injuries to include a fractured skull, tears in brain tissue, strained neck ligaments and broken ribs, arm and leg bones.
The doctor went onto say all injuries were in different stages of healing, meaning that they happened at different times. In court, the father admitted to punching, hitting or squeezing the baby at least four separate times when he was three weeks old.
Authorities say the mother’s charges stem from her not reporting the abuse for which she now faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.
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