Teenage dad charged with child abuse involving 18-day-old infant

NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) - Police in an Eastern Carolina city say a man is behind bars for child abuse charges involving his barely two-week-old baby.

The New Bern Police Department says they were called to a medical emergency involving an 18-day-old infant at an apartment on Wind Hill Court at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday.

When they got there, police say first responders found the baby in distress and struggling to breathe. Police say the baby was taken to CarolinaEast Medical Center for apparent life-threatening issues.

Police say doctors were able to stabilize the infant and eventually, the child was taken to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

On Tuesday, police say further tests revealed that the infant suffered trauma and was likely the victim of child abuse.

Police say they began investigating right away, leading to the arrest of the baby’s 19-year-old father, Jordan Gardner.

Gardner was charged with felony child abuse and given a $1,000,000 secured bond.