BARNESVILLE, Minn. — A 26-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly assaulting an 8-month-old infant, according to court documents filed Monday in Clay County District Court.
Chandler Richard Burnside was charged with:
Third-degree assault of a victim under four
Malicious punishment of a child under four
Both charges carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and $10,000 fines.
The alleged abuse occurred just after midnight on September 18 at a residence on 3rd Street in Barnesville. Police were alerted on September 29 after being shown video footage captured by an Owlet camera in the infant’s room.
The complaint describes three videos showing Burnside allegedly abusing the child. One video reportedly shows him holding a cloth over the infant’s mouth while forcibly pushing a bottle in. In the other two, Burnside allegedly muffled the child’s cries with the cloth while the infant appeared to be gasping for air.
The infant’s mother noticed redness around the child’s mouth the following morning and initially suspected hand, foot, and mouth disease. A doctor determined the injuries were consistent with physical abuse, noting bruises on the mouth, neck, leg, foot, and cheek. A follow-up exam at Sandford Children’s Care Clinic in Fargo confirmed findings consistent with abuse.
When questioned by Barnesville Police Chief Joel Voxland, Burnside reportedly admitted being frustrated because the infant was fussy and not taking the bottle. He allegedly confirmed that he was pushing the cloth over the child’s mouth to stop crying.
Burnside is currently in custody at Clay County Jail and is scheduled for his first court appearance on Monday.
