AVON PARK
Avon Park police officer James Hilton Parker III remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond Monday, after being charged Sunday with aggravated child abuse of the 20-month-old baby girl of his live-in girlfriend.
The child, who had multiple bruises over her body and an apparent fractured skull, was on life support Monday at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, according to the sheriff's office. She remained in "very very critical condition," according to Sheriff's Capt. Randy LaBelle.
Parker, 32, of Sebring, was arrested at 1:18 p.m. Sunday at his home, hours after he and the child's mother brought the girl in at 12:45 that morning to Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring.
Parker reportedly called the child's mother between 12:15 and 12:30 a.m. Sunday to tell her the girl was "not acting right."
Authorities learned of the incident after getting a call around 1:25 a.m. Sunday from hospital personnel, according to the sheriff's arrest report.
While at the hospital, detectives learned that Parker was taking care of the girl while the mother was at work, according to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's Sgt. Darin Hood said Parker did not have "a plausible explanation that was consistent with the injuries of the child."
Hood was not at liberty to say what explanation Parker offered the detectives.
The mother, who reportedly works as a nurse, began her shift at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and Parker was at their home watching several children, the report stated.
When the mom walked into the home, she reportedly told investigators she saw her daughter lying in Parker's arms as he sat in a recliner in the living room, the affidavit added.
She saw the child "had a bad color, was limp and was breathing shallow" and immediately grabbed the girl and had Parker drive them to HRMC, the report stated.
Doctors told detectives the child suffered multiple skull fractures, according to a sheriff's news release.
A helicopter could not take the child to a trauma center due to inclement weather, so All Children's Hospital sent a staffed mobile pediatric unit to Sebring to transport the child to the hospital around 6:40 a.m. Sunday.
The child was listed in very critical condition Sunday evening after undergoing surgery, the sheriff's report stated.
According to doctors, the use of extremely high force on the girl's head caused the severe injury to the skull, the report stated.
Aggravated child abuse is a first-degree felony.
Parker has been with the Avon Park Police department since 2006 and worked for the department for about 20 months between 2002 and 2004.
He has been placed on administrative leave without pay, pending further investigation, according to Avon Park City Manager Sarah Adelt.
"I think it's an opportunity for the community to see we all live under the same rules and everyone will be treated equally," Adelt said.
The recent death of Sgt. Marc Wilbur, along with Parker's arrest and the November arrests of officers Alberto Perez and Adam Willis, leaves the department short staffed by at least four officers.
Police Chief Matthew Doughney said Monday he did not wish to discuss his department's staffing issues.
As far as the three recent arrests tarnishing his department's image, Doughney said it's been difficult, with him having been there only 10 months.
"It's hurtful to the men and women who work here when other officers are arrested while they are working hard to make a difference in the community," he said. "My concern right now is for the child."
The case continues to be investigated jointly by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit and the Special Victims Unit along with the state Department of Children & Families.
Parker also was involved in a 2008 New Year's Eve ruckus case involving Pete and Sue Diaz. A jury recently cleared the Diazes of battery charges against Parker.
Parker was also arrested in June 26, 2004 on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge involving his former wife. He entered into a diversion program and the States Attorney's Office eventually deferred prosecution.
Parker, then 27, was reinstated in late July 2004 after completing a two-day suspension without pay, according to former Police Chief Frank Mercurio in a previous report.
When Parker attended his arraignment on July 19, 2004, his ex wife withdrew charges, Mercurio said.
A deferred prosecution agreement was signed in lieu of Parker attending an anger management program for 12 weeks. All criminal charges were dismissed after he successfully completed the class.
Parker was initially held Sunday without bond. Monday afternoon, bond was set at $250,000, along with conditions that include:
That Parker not have contact with the victim or the victim's mother nor come within 300 yards of victim's residence without having this order lifted by the judge.
Parker was not to harass, touch, strike or threaten to touch or strike the victim against her will.
He was to check in with Pre-Trial Release by landline or in person twice a week.
He could not leave the county without the court's written approval.
He had to turn in all weapons.
Parker's next court appearance is scheduled for April 27.
Avon Park police officer James Hilton Parker III remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond Monday, after being charged Sunday with aggravated child abuse of the 20-month-old baby girl of his live-in girlfriend.
The child, who had multiple bruises over her body and an apparent fractured skull, was on life support Monday at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, according to the sheriff's office. She remained in "very very critical condition," according to Sheriff's Capt. Randy LaBelle.
Parker, 32, of Sebring, was arrested at 1:18 p.m. Sunday at his home, hours after he and the child's mother brought the girl in at 12:45 that morning to Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring.
Parker reportedly called the child's mother between 12:15 and 12:30 a.m. Sunday to tell her the girl was "not acting right."
Authorities learned of the incident after getting a call around 1:25 a.m. Sunday from hospital personnel, according to the sheriff's arrest report.
While at the hospital, detectives learned that Parker was taking care of the girl while the mother was at work, according to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's Sgt. Darin Hood said Parker did not have "a plausible explanation that was consistent with the injuries of the child."
Hood was not at liberty to say what explanation Parker offered the detectives.
The mother, who reportedly works as a nurse, began her shift at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and Parker was at their home watching several children, the report stated.
When the mom walked into the home, she reportedly told investigators she saw her daughter lying in Parker's arms as he sat in a recliner in the living room, the affidavit added.
She saw the child "had a bad color, was limp and was breathing shallow" and immediately grabbed the girl and had Parker drive them to HRMC, the report stated.
Doctors told detectives the child suffered multiple skull fractures, according to a sheriff's news release.
A helicopter could not take the child to a trauma center due to inclement weather, so All Children's Hospital sent a staffed mobile pediatric unit to Sebring to transport the child to the hospital around 6:40 a.m. Sunday.
The child was listed in very critical condition Sunday evening after undergoing surgery, the sheriff's report stated.
According to doctors, the use of extremely high force on the girl's head caused the severe injury to the skull, the report stated.
Aggravated child abuse is a first-degree felony.
Parker has been with the Avon Park Police department since 2006 and worked for the department for about 20 months between 2002 and 2004.
He has been placed on administrative leave without pay, pending further investigation, according to Avon Park City Manager Sarah Adelt.
"I think it's an opportunity for the community to see we all live under the same rules and everyone will be treated equally," Adelt said.
The recent death of Sgt. Marc Wilbur, along with Parker's arrest and the November arrests of officers Alberto Perez and Adam Willis, leaves the department short staffed by at least four officers.
Police Chief Matthew Doughney said Monday he did not wish to discuss his department's staffing issues.
As far as the three recent arrests tarnishing his department's image, Doughney said it's been difficult, with him having been there only 10 months.
"It's hurtful to the men and women who work here when other officers are arrested while they are working hard to make a difference in the community," he said. "My concern right now is for the child."
The case continues to be investigated jointly by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit and the Special Victims Unit along with the state Department of Children & Families.
Parker also was involved in a 2008 New Year's Eve ruckus case involving Pete and Sue Diaz. A jury recently cleared the Diazes of battery charges against Parker.
Parker was also arrested in June 26, 2004 on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge involving his former wife. He entered into a diversion program and the States Attorney's Office eventually deferred prosecution.
Parker, then 27, was reinstated in late July 2004 after completing a two-day suspension without pay, according to former Police Chief Frank Mercurio in a previous report.
When Parker attended his arraignment on July 19, 2004, his ex wife withdrew charges, Mercurio said.
A deferred prosecution agreement was signed in lieu of Parker attending an anger management program for 12 weeks. All criminal charges were dismissed after he successfully completed the class.
Parker was initially held Sunday without bond. Monday afternoon, bond was set at $250,000, along with conditions that include:
That Parker not have contact with the victim or the victim's mother nor come within 300 yards of victim's residence without having this order lifted by the judge.
Parker was not to harass, touch, strike or threaten to touch or strike the victim against her will.
He was to check in with Pre-Trial Release by landline or in person twice a week.
He could not leave the county without the court's written approval.
He had to turn in all weapons.
Parker's next court appearance is scheduled for April 27.
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