Columbus dad thought baby was choking, cops say. Now he’s charged in ‘shaken baby’ case
Jikevious Scott told investigators he thought his 7-month-old son was choking on baby formula, so he shook the child to keep him from asphyxiating, a detective said.
He shook the baby so violently that it caused a subdural hematoma, or bleeding within the brain, that led to the boy’s death three days later, Detective David Marrero testified Monday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
Scott, 22, was charged with second-degree murder, or felony murder based on his fatally injuring the child while committing the felony of second-degree child cruelty, meaning he did not mean to kill the boy, authorities said.
Marrero said police were called at 2:15 a.m. Jan. 11 to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where scans of the child’s brain revealed the injury. The boy named Jayce Bell was transferred to Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, where he was pronounced dead at 8:34 a.m. on Jan. 14, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
Marrero said that after twice waiving his rights to give statements to detectives, Scott told them he shook Jayce because the baby seemed to be choking on formula. The incident occurred at the home of Scott’s mother, police said. The coroner had a Bowie Avenue address for the baby’s grandmother.
Investigators found no evidence the child was at risk of asphyxiation, and Scott was charged based on his alleged negligence, police said.
Recorder’s Court Judge Julius Hunter found probable cause to send the case to Muscogee Superior Court. Scott is being held without bond.