Police arrest 18-year-old accused of assaulting infant son

TACOMA -- Police arrested an 18-year-old father Tuesday accused of assaulting his 7-day-old son, allegedly causing extensive bruising and brain swelling to the young boy.

According to the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office, Joshua Charles Sullivan was arrested around 12:30 a.m. at a hotel in the 1800 block of South 76th Street after the hotel manager spotted the wanted suspect renting a room and called police.

Sullivan was charged last month in Pierce County Court for first degree assault of his infant son. He will be booked into Pierce County Jail.

According to court documents, Sullivan was in charge of feeding his son at around 3 a.m. on May 23. Sullivan allegedly told police he grew frustrated when the baby would not quiet down and shook his baby "up and down" the stairs. Sullivan also allegedly suggested to police that he hit the baby's head against the wall in order to stop the baby from "fussing."

Sullivan and the baby's mother brought the child to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital after he developed severe brusing. Doctors called police after they observed the bruising occurred around the infant's mouth, cheekbone and forearm. Hospital staff allegedly advised police the injuries were not accidental.

Two other children living in the children's home were taken into police custody, the prosecutors office said. A bail amount for Sullivan has not yet been set. Sullivan will appear in court on Wednesday.