Father In Seekonk Baby-Shaking Case Sentenced

SEEKONK, MA – A Fall River man will serve time in a house of correction after admitting to shaking and squeezing his infant son in 2013, causing him "substantial" injury, the Bristol County District Attorney's office said. Andrew Gregory, 28, was convicted last week after a jury waived trial for assault and battery on a child causing substantial injury and reckless endangerment of a child.

Authorities said on June 23, 2013, Gregory was the sole caretaker of his 12-week-old son, who was in good overall health. The child's mother returned to their Seekonk home from work and was met outside by Gregory. The child was limp in Gregory's arms and was unresponsive and breathing poorly, according to the DA's office.

Gregory told the mother the child had fallen off the couch. The couple drove the child to the hospital, where it was determined he had brain bleeding. He was taken to another hospital, and doctors concluded that injuries to the infant, including hemorrhages on the torso and bruises on the head, limbs and trunk, were the result of abuse. The head injury was also determined to be the result of shaking or abusive head trauma, authorities said.

Police interviewed Gregory, who initially maintained that the child had fallen from the couch. He ultimately admitted to "shaking and squeezing" his infant son when questioned further, according to the DA.

At sentencing, Bristol County assistant district attorneys argued for a state prison term of 4-7 years, while Gregory's lawyers pushed for either probation or a house of correction sentence.

A judge sentenced Gregory to over two years in a house of correction, followed by five years of probation. As part of Gregory's probation, he is prohibited from contacting the victim or the victim's family, undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluations and complete any recommended treatment and enter and complete an anger management program.

"A case involving injury to a child is always very disturbing," Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a statement. "I am pleased the Judge held the defendant accountable and sent him to jail."

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