A second person is now facing charges in a Cozad child abuse case where authorities say the victim suffered life-threatening injuries.
Jasmine Hopkins, 19, is charged with Felony Intentional Child Abuse.
According to an arrest affidavit, the 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 the child’s father, Draven Haynes, 23, told them the infant was on a bed when the infant rolled off it.
Court records say the infant was later found to have brain bleeding, broken ribs, and burn marks.
The affidavit says the child was then taken to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
Records say Hopkins, the baby’s mother, was interviewed by authorities and was asked about the burn marks.
She told authorities that she was in the bathroom talking to Haynes, who was taking a shower with the baby, when he asked her about “white stuff” appearing on the baby’s skin.
The affidavit says Hopkins took the infant, and about 10-15 minutes later, blisters started to appear.
Hopkins reportedly told authorities that she wanted to take the baby to the hospital for his injuries, but Haynes told her not to because they would take the baby away from them.
The affidavit says Hopkins reported she treated the injuries with triple antibiotic ointment, burn cream, and guaze, and never took the baby to the hospital.
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, court records say 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.
Haynes is charged with two counts of Felony Intentional Child Abuse.
The charges against both Haynes and Hopkins are Class II Felonies with a penalty from 1 to 50 years imprisonment.
On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the Dawson County Court ruled it was in the best interest of the baby that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services consent to a “Do Not Resuscitate” order.
The court found the baby had suffered devastating injuries that have resulted in great pain for the 2-month old that will likely lead to his death.
Haynes is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 8:45 a.m.
