9-month old Newtonia boy clinging to life at Children's Mercy Hospital, mom's boyfriend charged with child abuse

A 9-month-old Newtonia boy is clinging to life at Children's Mercy Hospital and his mother's fiancee was arrested for child abuse after he allegedly administered the abuse Saturday that left the child in critical condition.

Jordan Leon Boggess, 28, was arraigned today in Newton County Circuit Court. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. October 1.

From the probable cause statement:

On 09/14/2024 at or around 19:48 Newton County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from (name redacted) in reference to a 9-month-old child who was not conscious and not breathing. 

The child was transported to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin and then transferred to Children's Mercy in Kansas City. 

Nursing staff with Children's Mercy Hospital contacted the sheriff's office in reference to the child. They saíd the child was too critical to do a full-body x-ray, but there was noticeable bruising along the Child's forehead and left ear. They said they did a CT scan on the child and discovered two small brain bleeds, bilatéral pneumothorax and bruising to the lungs. 

I responded to the résidence where deputies were located. We were able to contact Jordan Boggess who was asleep inside the residence. Jordan was identified as the child's mother's fiancé. Jordan agreed to voluntarily come to the sheriff's office for an interview.

During a mirandized, recorded interview, Jordan disclosed the following information. Jordan said he. was lying in bed watching tv when the child's mother got up and went to the restroom. He said the mother placed the child in a "jumper." 

Jordan said the child had vomited and ·was screaming. Jordan had said that was all that happened. Jordan then said he picked the child up from out of the jumper and began to "toss him in the air" trying to "comfort" him. 

Jordan said that was all that happened. 

Jordan then admitted that the child fell to the ground the second time he "tossed" him in the air. Jordan said his hands were sweaty because it was warm inside the residence and that is why the child fell to the ground. 

Jordan said the child fell on his head. Jordan said that was all that happened. 

Jordan then admitted after the child fell on the floor he panicked and "bear hugged" the child "a little hard" until he stopped sçreaming. Jordan asked if it was tight and he said yes. Jordan admitted he might have. hurt him when he squeezed him, Jordan said he squeezed him during the "bear hug" on the baby's torso. 

Jordan was asked "so what happened to him up at the hospital is a result ·of what happened with you''--·and Jordan shook his head· yes.

Jordán also first denied picking the child up with his hands around his torso, but then later on his said he might have. 

Newton County Detectives responded to Children's Mercy Hospital. The attending Doctor said the preliminary findings was the child had "abusive head trauma," multi planar bruising, bilateral subdural hemorrhage, and additional work··up and diagnosis was pending. 

Detectives said the child is sedated and further information may not be known for weeks due to the child's critical condition. The Doctor did confirm the child suffered from physical abuse. Jordan was taken into custody and turned over to the Newton-County Jail where he was placed on a 24-hour hold.