A man caused severe harm to his infant son, leaving the baby blind and with serious brain injuries, following an outburst triggered by consuming 11 lagers. Christopher Yates endangered his seven-month-old child by violently shaking him, resulting in injuries akin to those from a high-speed collision. This harmful act occurred while Yates was intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine, shortly after gaining custody of his son.
Yates, who had a history of alcohol-related problems, obtained custody of the baby despite his known issues. On the night of the incident, the baby woke up crying at 2 am, prompting Yates to forcefully shake him multiple times, yelling for him to be quiet. Afterward, he left the baby in his crib and isolated himself in the bathroom for an hour to drown out the crying with a towel wrapped around his head.
Attributing his actions to frustration and desperation, Yates delayed seeking medical help for his son until hours later, providing false information to medical staff and hindering prompt treatment. The court learned that the infant, born in March the previous year, had been under foster care before being placed with Yates, who underestimated the challenges of caring for the child despite good intentions.
Yates’ family had observed his excessive alcohol consumption and recognized his struggles in caring for the baby due to his anger issues and occasional intoxication. They advised him to seek assistance from social services, but Yates felt let down by the support he received after gaining full custody.
During a visit, a family member found the baby unclothed, the house in disarray, and signs of heavy drinking. Yates, known for his volatile behavior when under the influence, had been neglecting the baby’s care. Despite expressing doubts about his ability to cope, he did not reach out for help from social services or the baby’s foster family.
In a statement, the baby’s foster mother described the child’s devastating injuries caused by Yates, leading to blindness and lifelong medication needs. The foster family expressed their love and commitment to the child’s well-being, emphasizing their hope for his recovery despite the irreversible harm inflicted by Yates.
The court revealed that Yates had left the baby with family members at a shopping center the day before the incident, exhibiting signs of intoxication. Upon returning home, Yates called emergency services the next morning, claiming the baby was having seizures. Subsequently, Yates confessed to causing the injuries after consuming alcohol and cocaine, leading to severe brain trauma and other life-threatening conditions for the baby.
Yates, with a history of criminal convictions, admitted to causing serious harm to the child and was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Julie Clemitson. The judge emphasized the catastrophic impact of Yates’ actions on the baby’s life and the irreparable damage caused, acknowledging the baby’s diminished quality of life and reliance on caregivers due to the injuries inflicted. Defense counsel mentioned Yates’ troubled past and lack of coping skills in caring for a baby, expressing his remorse and regret for the harm caused.
