Updated from original story
A 23-year-old Cozad man faces two counts of Felony Intentional Child Abuse after police say an infant suffered from significant injuries. Draven Haynes was arraigned in Dawson County Court Friday afternoon. His bond was set at 10% of $500,000 and ordered to have no contact with the victim. His next hearing in Dawson County Court was set for February 26, 2024 at 9:00am.
According to an arrest affidavit, Cozad Police Department responded on Wednesday February 14, 2024 to the 200 block of Avenue A in reference to an unresponsive two-month-old. When officers arrived, they say Haynes told them the infant was on a bed when the infant rolled off it.
The affidavit says Cozad Rescue staff advised officers that the infant went into cardiac arrest and had to be placed on a breathing machine. A CT scan was later performed on the infant, who was found to have brain bleeding, broke ribs and burn marks. The infant was later transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
On Thursday, the affidavit says Haynes was transported to Cozad Community Hospital for an attempted overdose. Officers said they interviewed Haynes’ mother who stated Haynes confessed to intentionally slamming the infant to the ground while it was crying.
The affidavit says Cozad Police had a video conference with Children’s Hospital staff who stated the infant is in critical condition and that his injuries “may not be survivable.”
The second charge alleges abuse from about December 6, 2023 through February 14, 2024. Each charge is a Class II Felony with a penalty from 1 to 50 years imprisonment.
