Brighton man, 21, faces felony charges after baby hospitalized
Sean BradleyA Brighton man is being held on $250,000 bond after he was charged with four felony child abuse charges two days after an infant was severely injured.
Luke Tobia Sementelli, 21, has been charged with one count of second-degree child abuse and three counts of third-degree child abuse, all felonies, according to a news release from William Vailliencourt, Livingston County prosecutor.
The charges were filed in connection with an incident Tuesday involving a 14-month-old child at the apartment of Sementelli and his girlfriend, according to a news release Wednesday from Brighton police.
Sementelli was arraigned Thursday in Livingston County District Court by Magistrate Jerry Sherwood. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of second-degree child abuse.
MORE: Police: Infant shaken by Brighton man in critical condition
He is lodged in the Livingston County Jail.
"The child was pushed down on the floor three times, causing him to strike his head, and then shaken feverishly by his mother’s live-in boyfriend," police said Wednesday.
Sementelli also is accused of biting the child, resulting in further injury, Vailliencourt said.
The child is in critical condition after suffering injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, police said.
Child is suffering seizures, police said
Initially sent to St. Joseph Mercy Woodland Health in Brighton, the child was transferred while on a ventilator to a children's hospital.
"The child is currently suffering from seizures," police said Wednesday.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Child Protective Services called the police department and advised them of the boy's injuries.
Shaken baby syndrome — also known as abusive head trauma, shaken impact syndrome, inflicted head injury or whiplash shake syndrome — is a serious brain injury resulting from forcefully shaking an infant or toddler, according to the Mayo Clinic's website.
Shaken baby syndrome destroys a child's brain cells and prevents his or her brain from getting enough oxygen. It can result in permanent brain damage or death.
The child's mother, who is pregnant with Sementelli's child, was also cooperative, police said. She was in the same room when the incident occurred, "however, no formal charges have been filed against her at this time," police said.
Sementelli is not the father of the child he is accused of injuring, prosecutors said.
Sementelli has criminal history
Sementelli is not allowed to have contact with the victim, Sherwood ordered Thursday. If he does post bond, he will have to wear a GPS tether and not leave the state.
Sementelli has a criminal history in Florida, according to Kimberly Morrison, assistant prosecuting attorney.
In December, Sementelli was convicted of domestic violence in Florida, she said. Also in Florida, he has convictions dating back to 2016, including felony drug possession, marijuana possession and absconding from a juvenile detention program.
Sementelli spoke during his arraignment.
"Is there any way I can have my family back and fight for this?," he asked Sherwood, who did not respond.
The case remains under investigation.
A probable cause conference is set for 8 a.m. July 30, while a preliminary examination is set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 6.
Contact Livingston Daily reporter Sean Bradley at 517-552-2860 or at spbradley@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @SbradleyLD.