COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A two-year-old boy remains hospitalized at Nationwide Children’s Hospital after suffering “potentially life-altering injuries” consistent with child abuse, according to police.
“Just chill, play with his toys, likes to draw, watching video games,” said Amirah Johnson, describing his son, Jahsani, who has been in a hospital bed for more than two weeks. Columbus police allege Jahsani was physically abused by a friend of the child’s mother.
“They were trying to slow down the brain bleeding,” Johnson said. “When he first got admitted, then he had fractured spine, fractured jaw.”
Nathan Bridges, 22, has been charged with endangering children and is currently in custody.
“I don’t know what makes somebody want to physically harm a two-year-old, a little kid,” Johnson said. “I want to know exactly what happened, like, whoever did this, I want to know exactly what was done.”
According to Franklin County Municipal Court charging documents obtained by ABC 6, Jahsani’s mother left her son in Bridges’ care. Police say Bridges dropped off the boy at the home of a woman who was a friend of Jahsani’s mother, telling her that the child’s mother had been arrested.
The woman noticed extensive bruising on the toddler and called police, leading to the child’s hospitalization.
“I appreciate her taking notice something was wrong,” Johnson said.
Danielle Vandegriff with the Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers advised, “Always be sure to err on the side of safety and make the call.”
Vandegriff said that last year in Ohio, more than 70% of those facing child abuse charges were caregivers or known to the victim.
“If you see something and it’s probable, it probably is, ” said Vandegriff, “you always want to err on the side of the child.”
To report suspected child abuse, call the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services hotline 855-0-H-CHILD (855-642-4453, an automated telephone directory that will link callers directly to a child welfare professional or law enforcement in their county. Reports can be anonymous.
Vandegriff says signs of potential child abuse include “a child being withdrawn, behavioral changes, and also physical abuse, bruising that looks different.”
Court documents state Jahsani’s mother told police her son was happy when she left him in Bridges’ care. Police allege Bridges never attempted to contact or seek medical help for the child.
Meanwhile, family members are raising money online to cover Jahsani’s medical expenses.
While the toddler is showing improvement in the hospital, his father said he faces a long recovery. “He’s a survivor, he’s a fighter, he’s blessed,” Johnson said.
