Injured baby’s father held on felony count

Authorities say Dominik Adams was barely a month old when he was beaten so badly his skull was fractured.

On Monday, his father, Bobby Daniel Adams, 25, of Ponderay, Idaho, was charged with felony injury to a child. Adams is being held in Bonner County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Phil Robinson, the Bonner County prosecuting attorney, said the baby’s injuries occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 17, when Adams was alone with his son.

“Both the Idaho state Department of Health and Welfare and law enforcement was called on the morning of Aug. 18,” Robinson said. By then, the infant was at Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital in Spokane.

Robinson said the injuries caused the baby to suffer frequent seizures. At one point Dominik’s vision was in danger.

“During the transport from Bonner General Hospital here in Sandpoint to Sacred Heart they had a cardiac code and had to stop at Kootenai Medical Center to stabilize him,” Robinson said.

The baby spent about 10 days at Sacred Heart, most of the time in pediatric intensive care, Robinson said.

The baby’s mother, Natasha Ward, was not home when he was injured. Robinson said nothing indicates she was involved in the baby’s beating.

“But we don’t know if she can provide a stable and safe home environment,” Robinson added. “We will resist the child going home with Mom or Dad anytime soon.”

Adams was picked up by Bonner County sheriff’s deputies 19 days after the abuse allegedly occurred, on Sept. 5.

“We were investigating this very carefully,” Bonner County Undersheriff Doug Harris said. “As soon as we had an order to pick him up, we did.”

Adams’ preliminary court hearing is expected to take place next week.

The Department of Health and Welfare has placed the child in foster care.