A three-month-old infant is in critical condition following an alleged shaking incident, leading to the arrest of his 28-year-old father. The infant was admitted to Makarios Hospital on Friday, 23 January, where medical staff identified injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, including a brain haematoma.
Charalambos Charilaou, spokesperson for the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), reported that the child underwent emergency surgery before being intubated. As of now, the infant remains in the paediatric intensive care unit, fighting for his life.
The situation escalated on Monday when Nicosia Police received a report from hospital authorities concerning the infant’s condition, prompting an immediate investigation. On Tuesday morning, officers arrested the father, a foreign national, under suspicion of grievous bodily harm, child exposure, and ill-treatment of a child under sixteen.
During a hearing at the Nicosia District Court on Tuesday afternoon, the court agreed to a four-day remand for the suspect, although police had initially requested an eight-day period. The father, who was reportedly alone with the infant at their home during the incident, has denied any wrongdoing. He indicated his intention to call the child’s paediatrician as a witness in his defence.
Detectives are actively collecting witness statements from medical staff, neighbours, and family members as they seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic injuries sustained by the infant. This ongoing investigation raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in our communities.
