FORT OSAGE, MO — Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old father after his infant son was found with injuries described by medical experts as comparable to being dropped from the height of a two-story building.

Storm L. Sinclair faces a charge of child abuse or neglect following an incident early Saturday morning. Jackson County deputies responded around 7:15 a.m. to a home in the Fort Osage area, assisting paramedics treating a 2-month-old boy with a critical head injury.

Initial statements from Sinclair indicated the baby was injured during a feeding. Sinclair claimed he was attempting to burp the child when the baby kicked and fell onto a hard surface. Officers on scene took note as Sinclair repeatedly apologized while speaking to emergency workers.

The newborn was rushed to Children’s Mercy Hospital for evaluation and treatment. Medical professionals identified extensive trauma, including internal bleeding in the infant’s brain and visible bruising on various parts of his body. Medical staff told investigators the extent and pattern of the injuries did not align with a simple fall, raising immediate concerns about the child’s welfare.

Doctors reported multiple bruises to the victim’s head, face, left ear, jaw, and within his nostrils, in addition to injuries on the infant’s torso, arms, and scrotum. Further examinations revealed pattern bruising on the baby’s back, smaller marks on his buttocks, and elevated liver enzymes. Experts concluded such injuries were far more severe than could be caused by rolling off a bed or single accidental fall.

According to court documents, physicians suggested the harm may have been the result of violent shaking, repeated strikes, or a fall from significant height. Their findings indicated intentional physical abuse as the likely source of the trauma.

When confronted by law enforcement with the medical evidence, Sinclair allegedly repeated, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.” He reportedly acknowledged the severity of the situation, adding he understood he might not be a part of his son’s future.

During a subsequent interview with detectives, Sinclair expanded on his initial account. He claimed that after picking up the baby, he believed the infant was choking and proceeded to strike the child’s back with an open hand. Sinclair then told investigators he struck the baby’s abdomen with a closed fist and slapped the infant on the left side of the head. He admitted to forcefully shaking the baby’s head side to side, telling police he acted with intent to cause harm.

Sinclair was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center with bond set at $25,000. Jail records show he was released after posting 10 percent of the bond amount in cash. He is due to appear in court for a bond review hearing scheduled for Aug. 26.