Roanoke Memorial staff said the child had retinal hemorrhaging, which is commonly associated with “Shaken Baby Syndrome”

SALEM, VA  –  Newly released search warrants detail moments leading up to the death of a 3-month-old child in Salem.

Salem police have charged the father, Jwawn Lamont James Sr., 41, with abuse and neglect of a child, and aggravated malicious wounding.

According to court documents, on Wednesday, Nov. 18 Salem Fire & Rescue along with officers from the Salem Police Department responded to 1016 Homestead Dr. in Salem in reference to an unresponsive child.

Upon arrival, police interviewed the child’s father, James, to determine the circumstances that led to the child’s state.

James advised to police as he was carrying his daughter into the home he tripped at the front door and dropped the car seat/carrier.

James indicated she was not strapped in, which caused his daughter to fall out of the car seat/carrier and on to her face and head.

James said he then picked up the child, checked to make sure she was OK, and placed her into the bassinet while he took a shower. James told police that after getting out of the shower, he found his daughter unresponsive and called 911.  James said he proceeded to shake his daughter due to her being unresponsive.

The 3-month-old was transported to Roanoke Memorial for treatment.

At the hospital, detectives spoke with hospital staff regarding the child’s condition.  Roanoke Memorial staff said the child had retinal hemorrhaging, which is commonly associated with “Shaken Baby Syndrome”, a collapsed lung, and head trauma.

Roanoke Memorial Hospital staff advised the child’s injuries were not consistent with the manner in which James provided that they occurred, and more likely the result of child abuse.

As a result, detectives requested to search James’ residence for any evidence related to abuse.

Things searched for:

• Any and all seats, swings, and/or bassinets that the child may have been placed-in to include the padding and bedding commonly associated with these items
• Any and all documents related to the care of the child such as hospital and/or doctor records
• Any and all throw-rugs and/or mats located in the entry way of the residence
• Any and all medications appropriate to be administered to a 3 month old child
• Any and all pacifiers and/or other soothing devices
• Any and all devices such as bottles or spoons used to feed a 3 month old child
• Resident searched: 1016 Homestead Drive in Salem – single story ranch style home

Also, detectives have seized three cell phones – a Samsung Galaxy, Kyocera, and Motorola Droid – for the search and forensic analysis of the electronic devices and storage media for digital/text pictures, call logs, SMS messages, contact and videos.