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Infant in critical condition, dad charged with shaking baby

2-month-old hospitalized after suffering head trauma

Matthew Dietsch

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 11:10 PM Wednesday, April 22, 2009

FAIRBORN — Police have arrested a 30-year-old father who allegedly shook his infant child Tuesday, April 21, leaving him in critical condition at Children’s Medical Center in Dayton.

Matthew Dietsch faces charges of felonious assault and child endangering for allegedly shaking his 2-month-old son, Brandon, said Greene County Prosecutor Stephen K. Haller, who approved filing the charges Wednesday.

Medics responded to Vanderlyn Court at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a 911 call that the child was unresponsive, said Fairborn police Sgt. Matt Ricketts. At the hospital, it was determined the child had suffered a head trauma.

There is no evidence the infant suffered any other previous abuse and this was likely an isolated incident, Haller said. Dietsch is jailed in lieu of $50,000 bond.

It is the second set of felony charges for abuse of a child filed against a Fairborn man this month.

Brian H. LaPrairie faces murder, felonious assault, child endangering and other charges in the Dec. 29 death of Juliana Berry, the 2-year-old daughter of LaPrairie’s girlfriend, Malak Deek, who also is charged in the child’s death.

An autopsy of Juliana revealed she had been repeatedly abused and suffered from “battered baby syndrome.”

Police charged the couple after a three-month investigation.

LaPrairie was freed April 17 after posting $250,000 bond. Deek remains in the Greene County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

<p class="note">Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.</p>

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When this father, I mean dad, I mean dumbxxx gets to jail a dude name "Bubba" will shake the hell out of him

anthony
1:55 PM, 4/23/2009

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perhaps if people were held accountable for their actions, this bullcrap wouldn't happen. we all start out as babies, so why the hell do these stories keep popping up? it's sad. i'm sick of hearing about children being hurt, raped, tortured or killed everytime i turn on the tv or read the news. it should not hurt to be a child.

i say line these people up and beat them with a barbwired bat. i bet they'd never hurt another person again.

shannon
1:31 PM, 4/23/2009

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That poor little baby. You mothers out there please please do not trust these men to take care of your precious babies. I do know its very hard to take care of a child I have been doing on my own for a long time and I have 2 beautiful adult children now. My son has blessed me with a beautiful grand-daughter, I could never imagine someone shaking her at 2 month old. I just do not understand how an adult can hurt a child!

Kim
12:55 PM, 4/23/2009

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I don't care what the circumstances are, stupid is stupid!!! How can anyone harm any child no matter what age or size, its sickening!!!

Debbie
12:14 PM, 4/23/2009

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Josh says accidents happen. A 2 month old is to young Josh to have accidents. unlike a 2 year old they can not roll over or fall down stairs they are at the mercy of the people that should love and protect this little child. My prayers go out to the baby and the family.

Debby
7:17 AM, 4/23/2009

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