Family defending Johnston Co. father accused of felony child abuse
JOHNSTON COUNTY (WTVD) -- The mother of a 2-month-old baby who showed up at the hospital with broken bones is defending the baby's father, who was charged with felony child abuse in Johnston County.
Chad Brandon Capps, 28, of Princeton was charged with felony child abuse causing serious bodily injury. But family members claim he's innocent.
ORIGINAL STORY: Father accused of seriously injuring 2-month-old son
"I know for a fact that he did not intentionally hurt his kid. I know that," said the baby's mother, who wished to remain unnamed. "[Chad] doesn't even like disciplining our 2-year-old, so there's no way he could intentionally done this this our 2-month-old."
The mother said Capps went to pick up the baby, Elijah Capps, and accidentally dropped him.
"He went to pick [Elijah] up and my 2-year-old was trying to get him, and [Chad] lost control and dropped him. That's what I was told," the mother explained to ABC11.
The Johnston County Sheriff's Office said detectives were told about the injuries to the boy earlier in the month by the Department of Social Services. Police showed up at Capps's mother's home Tuesday to arrest him.
Capps reportedly moved in with his mother after Elijah's mom took the baby to the doctor because of a swollen leg. When the investigation into the Elijah's injuries began, social workers told Capps to move out of the home he shared with Elijah's mom, Elijah, and the couple's 2-year-old son.
Authorities said the infant had a broken left femur, broken right femur, broken forearms, and fractures to his tibia and fibula. Elijah's mother said the baby was released from the hospital three weeks ago and is back at home with her.
Neighbors were shocked to hear what Capps is accused of doing to his child.
"I have a 2-month old son myself and I would never, you know, I can't imagine what it would take to break a child's arms and legs," said neighbor Heather Beasley.
Capps was taken to the Johnston County Jail under a $50,000 bond.
"He did not intentionally hurt his kid. It was an accident. He, he has a heart of gold," the baby's mother sobbed. "He would help anybody he could. He would not hurt his kids at all."
Authorities are still investigating.
