MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Local News

Discussion

May 4, 2012

Mom held after tot suffers burns

By Josh Newton CNHI

— TAHLEQUAH — Investigators with the District Attorney’s Office say a local mother has admitted to burning her 13-month-old son with a flat iron used for straightening hair.

Jodi Rock, 19, is being held on a $200,000 bond at the Cherokee County Detention Center on accusations of felony injury to a child.

Investigators said the baby was taken into custody of the Department of Human Services and transported to a Tulsa hospital, and other injuries may have been discovered on him.

Because the case is ongoing, investigators wouldn’t release many details, but an affidavit – filed this week for a search warrant request – provides some information on the accusations.

According to the document, Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies were called last Thursday after Rock took the baby to Tahlequah City Hospital. The boy had reportedly suffered at least three different bone fractures, and had burns between his legs and on his genitals.

DA Investigator Jarrod Brown responded to the hospital, according to his affidavit, along with a DHS employee who later interviewed Rock.

During the interview, Rock allegedly told several stories as to how the child might have been injured, and also said her boyfriend may have been responsible for hurting the boy.

She agreed to an interview with Brown on Friday, and gave more conflicting stories to the investigator, Brown said in his affidavit.

Rock later confessed to burning her infant with a flat iron, and said she and her live-in boyfriend may have hurt the boy’s arms by playing with him in a rough manner, Rock said.

Formal charges have not been filed against Rock.

Josh Newton writes for the Tahlequah Daily Press.

Text Only
Local News
AP Video
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Poll

Are the IRS, Benghazi and AP phone warrant scandals vital issues, or a distraction from more important business the nation should deal with?

Vital
Distraction
     View Results
Featured Ads
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Stocks