Babysitter blames dog for baby’s 7 broken bones, Missouri cops say. She’s now charged

A babysitter caring for a 5-month-old child blamed her dog for the baby’s severe broken bones, Missouri authorities say.

But a doctor believes some of the seven breaks were caused by “excessive force” by a human, leading to charges against the babysitter, according to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called about a report of child abuse March 17, and medical officials said the baby was being treated for seven broken bones — two to his left arm, three ribs on his left side and two to his legs, according to a probable cause statement.

The babysitter told deputies the injuries happened when she let her dog out of a bedroom with the child lying on the living room floor, authorities said. She said the dog jumped on the baby, who she said “made a grunting noise once.”

When the babysitter’s daughter came home, the daughter indicated the baby’s arm was “not working,” the sheriff’s office said. The babysitter told a child welfare worker, “It’s my fault.”

The doctor told deputies the baby’s arm fracture was similar to “breaking a pencil in half,” according to the court documents.

“(The doctor) stated babies don’t typically get bending fractures without excessive force,” authorities said.

Instead of the dog causing the injuries, the doctor said the “yanking pulling breaks” in the baby’s arms and legs “usually are consistent with shaking a baby,” according to the probable cause statement.

The babysitter, who was the only person watching the child during the weekend, was charged with first-degree child abuse.

Attorney information for the woman was not immediately available.

McClatchy News is not identifying the suspect to protect the identity of the minor.

Vernon County is about a 105-mile drive south from Kansas City.

This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Babysitter blames dog for baby’s 7 broken bones, Missouri cops say. She’s now charged."