A Michael S. McPherson, age unavailable and address unavailable, was charged Saturday with first-degree assault after his 22-month-old son was taken with head injuries to a local hospital, according to a news release from the Joplin Police Department.
It was unclear Saturday whether McPherson was in custody. Investigations Lt. Michael Hobson was unavailable for comment, police said.
Police were called Wednesday to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin to investigate the situation of a 22-month-old boy, who was unresponsive with severe head injuries, according to the release.
The child underwent surgery and was later taken to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield for further treatment. As of Saturday, he remained in critical condition, according to the release.
A first-degree assault charge was filed against McPherson, the child’s father, on Saturday by the Jasper County prosecutor’s office, the release said.
Globe attempts to obtain additional information were unsuccessful.
