PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (TCN) — Authorities recently arrested a man and woman after an infant in their care required emergency surgery for skull damage and a brain bleed.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, March 24, detectives responded to Golisano’s Children’s Hospital in Fort Myers to a report of a baby with life-threatening injuries, including multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed, a stroke, and more. Medical staff said the infant was in “extremely critical condition” and was undergoing emergency surgery upon authorities’ arrival.
Twenty-two-year-old Shona Hochsprung and 24-year-old Alexander Ransom reportedly brought the child to the hospital, and detectives interviewed them separately about what led to the injuries. The sheriff’s office noted that “both had different explanations about how the infant sustained the injuries, and their stories were inconsistent.”
Hochsprung allegedly told detectives she “rolled over onto the baby while asleep,” but she woke up and rolled off after hearing the child cry. However, medical staff said the baby’s injuries were likely not caused by what Hochsprung claimed.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hochsprung and Ransom said that on Sunday, March 23, they were the only two people with the baby when the injuries occurred.
Ransom had allegedly searched online for “dent in baby forehead” and “do babies snore?” at approximately 5 a.m. on March 23. Although Ransom was aware of the injuries, he and Hochsprung reportedly did not seek medical care until the next day.
Officials arrested Hochsprung and Ransom on charges of child neglect with great bodily harm. They remain held in the Charlotte County Jail without bond.
The sheriff’s office said the baby’s surgery was successful, but the victim faces a “lengthy recovery and is expected to have significant medical issues for the duration of its life.”
In a statement, Sheriff Bill Prummell said, “As a father, I know there is nothing so precious as the life of a child. I ask you to join me in prayer, as this infant fights for survival, that God grants a better life going forward. The individuals who were supposed to be caring for this child have many questions still to answer, and they will be held accountable. In the meantime, my heart is with that child and all who are impacted.”
- Couple Arrested on Charges of Child Neglect, Infant in Critical Condition – Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
- Charlotte County Jail
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