Baby injured, father arrested

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A 7-week-old Gallup baby is undergoing treatment at an Albuquerque hospital for a skull fracture that was allegedly inflicted by his father.

Gallup police officers arrested Andrew R. Dennison, 23, on Tuesday afternoon in connection with his son's critical injuries, GPD spokeswoman Erin Toadlena-Pablo said.

Gallup detectives were notified of the baby's injuries on Tuesday at about 2 p.m. by Albuquerque CYFD officials who were called to the Albuquerque hospital. Albuquerque police officers also initially responded to the hospital until they learned the incident had occurred in Gallup.

Officials suspect the incident occurred on April 8 at the Klagetoh Apartments on the west end; however, Dennison did not transport the baby to Gallup Indian Medical Center until Monday. The baby was flown by helicopter to Albuquerque the same day.

According to court records, Dennison told officials he swung the baby from side to side to try and stop him from crying. Dennison allegedly said he then tripped over a pile of clothes, which caused the baby to hit his head on a nearby door frame.

Dennison also allegedly noticed blood coming from the baby's left ear and placed a cold wash cloth on his head.

Toadlena-Pablo said the baby is being treated for a skull fracture, bleeding in his brain, bruising and a broken bone in his upper leg.

She said the baby's hitting the door frame doesn't explain the broken bone in his leg. She said Albuquerque doctors have also confirmed the baby's injuries are consistent with child abuse.

Dennison's two daughters, who are 4 and 2, were taken into CYFD custody. Dennison was booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on a first-degree felony count of child abuse. He is expected to be arraigned on the charge in magistrate court mid-morning.