A 22-year-old Beverly Hills man is facing charges of striking and choking a 3-month-old infant.
According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Skyler Bennett was arrested April 28 at a home in Beverly Hills after the infant was flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville with a head injury.
- Citrus County man arrested and charged with injuring 3-month-old baby girl
- No bond for Skyler Bennett
- According to arrest report, Bennett said he was a bad person and does not deserve to live
A witness told detectives that Bennett beat the infant several times over several weeks because the infant would not stop crying. According to the arrest report, Bennett used his fists to punch the infant girl in the face, violently shook the girl and also slapped the girl with an open hand.
The baby was taken into surgery and remains at the hospital in critical condition.
Hospital staff said the child's injuries were not consistent with being dropped, which is what Bennett told authorities.
Bennett also told deputies that he did not remembering injuring the child but if the witness said he did it, then he must have. The arrest report also states that Bennett said he was a bad person and does not deserve to live.
Bennett has been charged with aggravated child abuse and has no bond.