SA man accused of causing life-threatening injuries to 7-week-old baby

SAN ANTONIO – A 7-week-old baby was rushed to Children's Hospital of San Antonio in critical condition after investigators said a man caused life-threatening injuries, including head trauma, to the newborn, according to an affidavit.

Zachary Hale, 32, is facing a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.

An investigator with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said Hale recalled the first incident when he left the baby -- 2 weeks old at the time -- unattended on a sofa and came back to find her lying on the tile floor face down.

Despite the baby having a bruise on her chin and a knot on her head, Hale said he did not seek medical attention, according to the arrest affidavit.

On a different day, Hale said he was jumping on a trampoline with the baby when he fell down and dropped the baby. The affidavit states Hale told the investigator the baby was "unresponsive for about two seconds and then began to gasp for air."

Hale did not seek medical attention, according to the affidavit.

In the most recent incident on Oct. 1, Hale told the investigator he was showering with the baby when she "slipped out of his arms," according to the affidavit.

Two days later, the baby was rushed to Children's Hospital after she kept throwing up, became lethargic and stopped eating.

According to the affidavit, a doctor told the investigator the baby's injuries were consistent with life-threatening physical abuse. The doctor said they discovered bleeding in the baby's skull, multiple skull fractures, bleeding in her retina and a rib fracture.

The affidavit states the baby was last listed in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit after undergoing emergency surgery.

Hale is now facing a first-degree felony charge. His bond was set at $100,000.