A 6-year-old boy is in the hospital fighting for his life from a ‘mysterious’ head injury possibly caused by his mother’s boyfriend, according to San Leandro Police.
Police arrested 23-year-old Johnathan Davis last Thursday, eight days after the boy was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency brain surgery.
On Tuesday morning, Davis was charged with assault on a child with force likely to create great bodily injury.
The incident happened on Nov. 21, when Davis and his girlfriend, the mother of the boy, found the child unconscious child and took him to the hospital.
Doctors discovered that the boy was suffering from a “non-accidental” traumatic head injury that required surgery.
At this time, the child remains unconscious and is in critical condition.
Davis, who was caring for the boy while his mother was at work, told police that the boy fell down a flight of stairs. But, medical professionals say the injury and symptoms were not consistent with a fall.
Detectives were called to the hospital to investigate and contacted both Davis and the mother who at the time were cooperative.
Police say Davis and his girlfriend have been living together for about 6 months along with two children: the 6-year-old boy and Davis’ 15-month-old daughter he has from a previous relationship.
When interviewed, police say Davis continued to claim the boy fell down a set of stairs at home and bumped his head. The boy’s mother supported this claim, according to police.
Davis told officers that the boy was fine after the fall and only complained of “not feeling well” five to six hours later.
Davis and the two children later drove to pick up the boy’s mother from work and it wasn’t until they arrived home that the boy was found unconscious in the back seat of their car, police said.
During the course of the investigation, detectives say they learned of past incidents where the boy may have sustained physical and mental abuse from Davis.
Detectives tried to re-interview the couple, who then became uncooperative, according to police.
Davis was arrested and is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
Child Protective Services have placed both children in protective custody.
San Leandro Police is asking anyone who may have information to contact detectives at 510-577-3241.