The man who allegedly violently shook and dropped a 10-month-old infant into his cot is now facing an upgraded charge of murder.
25-year-old Daniel John Ridgers was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the child after the infant was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition during the early hours of Friday morning.
He first appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Sunday and did not enter a plea or apply for bail.
On Monday morning, Police said his charge had been upgraded to murder after the baby sadly passed away from his injuries in hospital.
“The man will re-appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court today,” a police spokesperson said.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of the baby.”
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10-month-old Hobart baby dies after allegedly being shaken, dropped into cot
7:50am, Monday 4 December: A 10-month-old baby who was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital with critical injuries on Friday has sadly died.
Daniel John Ridgers, aged 25, faced charges of causing grievous bodily harm to the child and appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Sunday, where he did not enter a plea or apply for bail.
It is alleged that Ridgers violently shook and dropped the infant into his cot on November 30.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been upgraded at this time.
“Our condolences are with the family and loved ones of the baby,” police said.
Hobart man accused of allegedly violently shaking, critically injuring 10-month-old baby
12:30pm, Sunday 3 December: The man accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a 10-month-old baby boy has faced the Hobart Magistrates Court.
25-year-old Daniel John Ridgers allegedly violently shook and dropped the infant into his cot on November 30, the court heard on Sunday.
Ridgers did not enter a plea or apply for bail and was remanded in custody to reappear on Monday morning.
The baby was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital by ambulance and remains in critical condition.
8:45am, Sunday 3 December: A man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm after paramedics discovered an injured 10-month-old child at a residence on Hobart’s eastern shore on Friday.
Emergency services are believed to have been called to a Warrane address around 1:10am on Friday morning following reports that a young child required medical assistance.
Police said the child was found with serious injuries that they believed to be suspicious and taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.
Officers have since arrested and charged a 25-year-old man in connection with the incident, who is scheduled to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court today.
Police have not yet disclosed the gender of the child, or whether the man was known to the child.
The child remains in a critical condition.
Investigation launched after young child rushed to Hobart hospital with critical ‘suspicious’ injuries
An investigation has been launched after a young child was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital with “critical injuries” that are believed to be suspicious this morning.
Police say the child, whose age has not yet been disclosed, was transported to hospital by Ambulance from a residence in Warrane at around 1:10am on Friday.
Officers from Bellerive CIB, Forensics and Uniform were called to the hospital four hours later and are currently investigating the “suspicious” incident.
They suspect that the child, who remains in a critical condition, may have been seriously assaulted.
A spokesperson said investigations into the incident are expected to take “some time” and urged anyone with information to come forward.
