Kilik Beasley, 20, faces second-degree cruelty charges after the infant was found severely hurt.
A 20-year-old Baton Rouge man is facing a felony charge of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a 6-month-old girl was hospitalized with serious injuries that doctors say required intensive care treatment. Kilik Beasley was taken into custody today by the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Violent Crimes Against Persons Unit in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force.
How the investigation began
Police were first called to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital on April 1 after the infant’s mother brought her daughter in for treatment following an overnight stay with Beasley, the child’s father and her former boyfriend. When the baby was returned to her mother, the family immediately noticed something was wrong. The infant, normally described as a happy and energetic child, appeared dazed and withdrawn. Family members also observed bruising on her arms and legs and a blood spot in one of her eyes.
Medical staff at the hospital conducted a more thorough examination and found injuries consistent with serious physical trauma. According to arrest affidavits reported by local outlets, the child had sustained a fractured right forearm, lacerations to her liver and spleen, and additional bruising and discoloration across her body, including her flank, shoulder and limbs. She was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she remained as of today.
What investigators say Beasley told them
According to the arrest warrant, Beasley offered explanations for some of the injuries when initially confronted about them. He reportedly attributed the bruising on the child’s face to the baby riding in a vehicle without air conditioning. He also attempted to suggest his grandmother may have been responsible for other marks before ending contact with the mother entirely and indicating he was leaving for Texas.
The mother told investigators that her prior relationship with Beasley had ended because of physical abuse against her personally. Those disclosures were included as part of the broader investigation into the infant’s injuries.
Beasley’s prior criminal history
Court records show Beasley has a prior criminal arrest history that includes second-degree battery, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and resisting an officer. The combination of that history and the severity of the infant’s injuries prompted law enforcement to involve the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in securing his arrest.
A warrant for his arrest on the felony cruelty charge was issued before he was taken into custody today. The investigation is ongoing, and no further charges have been announced at this time.
If you have information about child abuse or are concerned about a child’s safety, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.