COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The family of a 2-year-old Columbus boy says he’s now showing signs of improvement at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he’s been recovering for nearly two weeks after authorities say he suffered injuries consistent with physical child abuse.
“When he got here, he was covered in bruises, and he would not stop crying,” said Ava Himmelright, a friend of the boy’s mother.
Himmelright told ABC 6 the condition of little Jahsani when he was dropped off at her home two weeks ago with severe injuries.
“His face was swollen, bruises all over his head,” she said.
Nathan Bridges, 22, a friend of Jahsani’s mother, is now in custody and charged with endangering children, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records.
Bridges reportedly dropped off the toddler at Himmelright’s home on April 30, claiming the child’s mother had been arrested earlier that night.
Himmelright said Bridges told her he was dropping off the child because he didn’t know how to change diapers.
“He acted very nonchalant,” Himmelright said. “He didn’t have anything to say, basically acted like nothing happened, kept trying to say it wasn’t him.”
The following day, when Jahsani’s condition did not improve, Himmelright contacted the police.
“I needed to do it,” she said. “I didn’t want that little boy to suffer. I didn’t want anything else to happen to him.”
Medics took Jahsani to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where doctors found bruising scattered across his body, a fractured jaw and spine, and a liver laceration, all consistent with physical child abuse, according to charging documents.
Investigators said Jahsani’s mother told them she left her son in Bridges’ care, and the child was happy when she left that night.
Court papers indicate that Bridges, who is being held on $500,000 bond, did not attempt to contact or seek medical help for the child.
Meanwhile, family members are raising money online to cover Jahnsani’s medical expenses.
Himmelright expressed her hopes for the toddler’s recovery.
“Definitely just praying for him, hoping he pulls through and gets better,” she said.
