6-month-old in critical condition at Springfield hospital, father charged with assault, child abuse

(From the Aurora-Marionville Police Department)

Yesterday, the Aurora-Marionville Police Department was contacted by the Missouri Department of Social Services (Children’s Division) who had been contacted by a hospital in Springfield. 

They reported that a six-month old baby was currently at the hospital with severe and critical injuries including bruises and head trauma. The injuries appeared to show possible abuse. The baby and her parents lived at an address in Marionville.

Officers and detectives with AMPD responded to the hospital to investigate. Information was sufficient to believe the injuries the baby had sustained was intentionally inflicted. 

Additionally, evidence was discovered that the mother of the baby was a juvenile and the father was an adult, making the sexual relationship between them illegal per Missouri Statute.

AMPD subsequently placed 23-year-old Zachary Bridwell under arrest. The investigation resulted in the belief he caused the injuries to the child. He was arrested on suspicion of numerous crimes and AMPD has requested charges through the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office. He is currently held without bond. He is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The baby is still hospitalized and was last considered in critical but stable condition. We are monitoring her condition closely.

Our staff did an exemplary job in this case. With a little victim that can’t tell you what happened, putting the story together is challenging and requires artful skill, dedication and tenacity to bring out the truth. 

These officers spent the entire day and all night investigating this horrific crime with professional precision, and with an unwavering dedication to bring justice for this baby girl. I couldn’t be more proud and thankful for what these men and women do every day.

Wes Coatney
Chief of Police
Aurora-Marionville Police Department