A 20-year-old Milwaukee man, Jalin White, has been arrested and faces severe felony charges after allegedly throwing his 8-month-old son against a wall in a moment of frustration over losing in the video game NBA 2K.
White’s actions have led to charges of child abuse with intent to cause great bodily harm, as well as neglect of a child resulting in serious harm, according to Fox 6 Milwaukee.
Court records indicate White is being held on a $100,000 bond with a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 15.
White reportedly confessed to his actions on November 6, shortly after his arrest. The infant’s mother discovered her son “severely injured” in his playpen. She had left the child in White’s care, only to return and find her son with extensive injuries that prompted immediate medical intervention.
White initially told investigators that the baby fell from an air mattress onto a carpeted floor while he was changing his diaper. However, the police soon determined that the infant’s injuries were inconsistent with White’s account.
Later, White admitted to losing his temper while playing NBA 2K and throwing his son against a wall. In his statement, White allegedly told authorities, “He hit his head hard on the wall, bro. I swear he hit his head hard… I heard the wall, it was hard on his head. It was a loud, hard impact.”
The investigation revealed that the infant suffered multiple injuries, including a skull fracture, six posterior rib fractures, and other signs of physical abuse in varying stages of healing. The baby also sustained a swollen eye, injuries to his hands and legs, and a broken collarbone.
According to PEOPLE, medical officials have shared that the child’s prognosis is dire, and he is not expected to survive.
If the child does not recover, White’s charges may escalate to homicide, authorities report. It remains unclear how White has responded to the charges, and his court proceedings are anticipated to provide further insight into the tragic incident.
