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Inset: Drew Babcock (Nashua Police Dept.). Background: The Nashua Police Department (Google Maps).
A man from New Hampshire stands accused of inflicting severe harm on his infant son over several weeks, reportedly resulting in 30 bone fractures, including fractures in both legs.
Last week, Drew Babcock was apprehended and charged with eight counts of first-degree assault involving domestic violence. These charges are classified as Class A felonies, as disclosed by authorities.
As per a statement from the Nashua Police Department, on March 13, they received notification from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families about a 3-month-old child who had sustained significant injuries. The Special Investigations Division initiated an inquiry, concluding that Babcock was responsible for harming his son.
Following this, police secured an arrest warrant, leading to Babcock’s capture on Friday. He was detained without the option of bail, awaiting his court appearance in Nashua District Court.
According to court records reviewed by the New Hampshire Union Leader, further details emerged, highlighting the severity of the child’s injuries and Babcock’s conversations with both investigators and family members.
Authorities allege the infant suffered approximately 30 fractures over a two-month period, including breaks to both femurs and his clavicle, as well as other injuries that caused the child’s lungs to fill with fluid.
According to prosecutors, Babcock said the infant was a colicky baby and that the child’s condition would cause Babcock to lose his temper, which is how he allegedly began inflicting injuries on the boy, beginning when he was about 1 month old.
“He admitted that he did this because he lost control and would not stop crying,” Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Melissa Farr reportedly said during Babcock’s initial hearing, Manchester ABC affiliate WMUR reported.
In a probable cause affidavit, Babcock allegedly told his estranged wife, “I think I did this,” and admitted he squeezed the infant to stop him from crying. Babcock also said he believed he “may have applied too much pressure, but he did not realize that he had broken” the child’s bones.
“He stated that he would use approximately 50% of his strength during this time,” Farr continued. “He admitted that he would conduct these maneuvers on [the victim] about two to three times a week.”
Prosecutors described the allegations as “nothing short of chilling” while arguing for Babcock to be held without bail, citing the severity of the injuries and the vulnerability of the victim.
Defense attorney Joseph Fricano argued for bond, noting Babcock had no prior criminal record and emphasizing his military background, telling the court, “This is a man who is capable of following orders.”
A judge ultimately ordered Babcock held on preventive detention — meaning without bond — after reportedly determining that he posed “a danger to the community.”