Florida man, Glen Neal, arrested after punching 11-month-old in face for crying, crawling away
A Florida man has been arrested and held without baby in Pinellas Park for beating and punching an 11-month-old baby. The shocking abuse has left the child hospitalized, not breathing on his own, and Neal could face murder charges if the child’s condition fades.
Glen Franklin Neal, 31, is being held in the Pinellas County Jail and will make his first appearance in court this afternoon. The St. Pete man was charged with one count of attempted 2nd degree murder in connection with the abuse of the toddler boy in his care.
Investigators say on July 5, Neal was caring for the baby and four other children who ranged from 11 months to seven years old. The 11-month-old baby was crying and trying to crawl out of a room.
Detectives say Neal “punched the baby in the eye and mouth and kicked the baby on the right thigh and buttocks, which elevated the baby due to the high force of the impact.”
Neal also grabbed the baby by the throat, threw him on a mattress and bit the child.
The infant suffered serious head trauma and additional injuries that included bruising, abrasions, and bite marks, according to the arrest affidavit.
Police say the baby lost consciousness after he was thrown on the mattress and Neal threw water on the child to try to revive him.
When this didn’t work, Neal took the baby boy to its mother, who called 911.
Pinellas Park police say the infant is hospitalized at All Children’s Hospital, under heavy sedation and is not breathing on his own.
“Neal has a violent criminal history to include child neglect, resisting arrest, fleeing to elude, cocaine possession and battery upon a law enforcement officer”, the department warned.