Texas dad accused of beating 2-month-old baby, causing 13 rib fractures, broken leg, brain injury

A Texas father is behind bars after investigators said he repeatedly struck his 2-month-old baby, causing the child to suffer 13 rib fractures, a broken leg and a brain injury.

According to KFDX-TV and the Times Record News, Rakim Smith, 21, of Wichita Falls, is facing a child injury charge in the beatings, which occurred from Sept. 21 to Nov. 21, 2019, authorities said. He was indicted last week.

Authorities learned of the baby’s injuries Nov. 21 after the child arrived at an emergency room with several broken bones, the news outlets reported. Smith later confessed to punching the infant because the child kept crying, authorities said.

Smith has been jailed on $250,000 bond, officials said.