Father Accused Of Slamming Infant Son On Malden Sidewalk

MALDEN (CBS) – A father accused of slamming his infant son against a sidewalk in Malden was ordered held without bail Thursday.

Thirty-three-year-old Carlos Edwards of Melrose was arrested Wednesday after police say he threw his 7-week-old son Carmelo Sears onto the ground outside a home on Cross Street during a argument with the boy’s mother, Crystal Sears.

The child is being treated for critical injuries in the pediatric intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The infant’s grandmother Charlene Nickerson told WBZ-TV the baby is improving, but he has fractures in both sides of his skull. He started to wake up for the first time Thursday morning.

WBZ-TV’s Alana Gomez reports

Edwards was arraigned in Malden District Court Thursday on charges of assault and battery on a child and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Karen Twomey reports

According to prosecutors, Edwards and Crystal Sears were arguing and he demanded money from her. She eventually gave him her electronic benefits card.

As Sears was leaving, she told Edwards he couldn’t take their baby.

Prosecutors say that’s when Edwards, who was holding the child, threw him down saying “I hope you both die.”  There were several witnesses to the incident.

Carmelo’s parents did not live together and are not married.  Prosecutors said they had a two-year relationship.

The grandmother said Edwards has a violent temper.

“He was always yelling at my daughter.  That’s why I didn’t allow him in the house,” Nickerson said.

Edwards is due back in court for a dangerousness hearing next week.