BEMIDJI, Minn. -- A Bemidji man is being charged with first-degree assault after allegedly striking an infant in the face, shaking the baby and then dropping him while attempting to answer his cell phone.
Donny Lee Carlsen, 38, was booked into the Beltrami County Jail on Thursday. Carlsen is accused of inflicting injuries on his 8-week-old son on July 6.
About 8:30 a.m. July 6, Beltrami County deputies responded to a 911 call regarding a baby that was having difficulty breathing. Officers found a baby who was pale, had a rapid pulse and was gasping for air, according to court documents.
The child was taken to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and then flown to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo. The baby had limited brain activity and was put on a full ventilator, according to the documents.
Court documents say Carlsen told law enforcement he was awoken by his son crying July 6. He admitted hitting the child with his fist and shaking his son several times, but dropped him when he received a phone call, court documents stated.
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Carlsen faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.
