WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A mother from Luzerne County is headed for possible trial on charges she assaulted and severely injured her 4-month-old son.
20-year-old Jazmine Clapper appeared via video in Luzerne County Central Court this morning to face numerous charges, including assault and child endangerment, in connection with the assault last November.
Investigators say it happened during an argument with the baby's father.
The baby suffered a fractured skull, a brain bleed, and broken bones. The I-Team's Andy Mehalshick has the latest on the case, including an interview with the child's grandmother and father, who say they hope other families can learn from their tragedy.
A woman accused of assaulting and severely injuring her four-month-old son in Luzerne County is headed for possible trial.
20-year-old Jazmine Clapper was in district court today for a hearing and the I-team's Andy Mehalshick was there.
Investigators say Jazmine Clapper assaulted her four-month-old son during, in what police describe, as a "Fit of rage" during an argument with the baby's father.
The grandmother, who witnessed the assault, hopes that other families can learn from their tragic situation.
Jazmine Clapper was out of control when she assaulted her four-month-old son last November, so say the baby's grandmother and father, who came to district court Thursday for a preliminary hearing for clapper.
"There's always that what if? We always think about it and, as you see, I always tear up. It's just a horrible, horrible thing," voiced Christine, grandmother of infant.
Investigators say Clapper assaulted her four-month-old son during an argument with the baby's father last November.
The father, T.J., and grandmother, Christine, tell me they witnessed Clapper grab the sleeping child out of his crib and throw him down onto a bed. Then she allegedly threw the infant at the father.
The baby suffered a fractured skull, a brain bleed, a broken finger and broken heel. The baby was in a trauma center for several days.
"Well, when I originally went to the hospital, I found out his injuries I was very concerned. I didn't think I was going to be able to bring him home," stated T.J., father of baby.
Now they both question, were there warning signs that they missed regarding Clapper's behavior.
"If our situation, in anyway, can help another family and another child not go through anything like this at all. If there is a question call someone, there are good people out there to help," said Christine.
The I-team spoke recently to Tammy Rodgers, a counselor at the Domestic Violence Service Center in Wilkes-Barre. She says help is out there for families facing challenges.
"All of our services are free and confidential. They can call us at any point in time, whether it's two o'clock in the morning, there's always going to be a counselor advocate on the phone and be able to talk them through a situation," explained Rodgers.
The family says the baby is doing fine and describe him as happy and healthy.
Clapper will head for possible trial at the Luzerne County Courthouse later this year.
