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Salem Police: Dad Tossed Infant Three Times

SALEM (CBS) - A baby, just weeks old, was attacked and police say his father is responsible.

Salem police say Dario Finkel snapped and tried to stop his son's crying by stuffing a baby wipe in his mouth.

Police say when that didn't work, Finkel threw his son on the floor twice, and then tossed him to his wife who was standing four feet away.

The baby boy is now recovering at Salem hospital and his father faced a judge Wednesday morning.

WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports.

His wife Jennifer Finkel told officers she waited until her husband fell asleep before writing him a note where she says she's leaving him because he hit her and their seven-week old son, Michael.

She then snuck out to a friend's apartment and called police.

Baby Michael was taken to Salem hospital with bruises around his mouth, legs and feet.

Finkel was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault and child endangerment.

The judge also granted Jennifer a one-year restraining order against him.

No one answered at the couple's apartment in Loring Towers.

A neighbor says she never saw the signs of abuse and is grateful Dario Finkel has been ordered to stay away.

"I'm horrified and i hope he's not allowed back in his this building and that's disgusting that someone could do that to their child," says Stephanie Rita.

Baby Michael is recovering at Salem hospital. Police say his injuries are not life threatening.

The judge granted Jennifer full custody of her son.

Finkel will sit in jail for a week. There's a hearing scheduled for next week that will determine whether he's too dangerous to be let out.

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