Jan 09, 2009 - 04:05:05 CST
FARGO (AP) - A Fargo couple face charges of child abuse or neglect after their 11-month-old son suffered skull fractures from falling out of bed, Cass County authorities say.Bail was set Thursday at $7,000 for Jeremy Patterson, and at $5,000 for Brook Hanten. Judge Wickham Corwin cited a 2001 child abuse conviction in setting higher bail for Patterson.
The judge also barred the couple from having contact with children unless supervised.
Patterson and Hanten, both 29, are accused of failing to provide a safe environment for their two sons, ages 2 and 11 months.
Authorities said Hanten told investigators the 11-month-old had fallen out of bed at least four times. Doctors told police the boy had suffered skull fractures.
Court documents say Patterson was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty in 2001 to a felony child abuse charge for striking a 2-year-old boy in the face. He said the boy had been swearing.
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