Niamh Shackleton
A nine-month-old boy is in critical condition in a suspected child abuse case.
Baby Waylon is fighting for his life in a Kansas City hospital after being rushed in on September 15.
The young boy was said to have been thrown into the air and dropped by his mom's partner, Jordan Boggess.
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He's then said to have 'bear-hugged' the child until he stopped crying.
Boggess claims he dropped the child because his hands were 'sweaty'.
When Waylon arrived at the hospital, he was said to be in a critical condition.
Most young children who find themselves in hospital might be as a result of aspiration or choking, but Waylon was reportedly brought in with bruising on his head that doctor's have described as 'abusive head trauma'.
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It was later revealed that the nine-month-old had a brain swelling. He's since suffered multiple seizures, MailOnline reports.
Waylon remains in hospital and is hooked up to several machines.
In an update shared on Facebook yesterday (September 28), the family shared the positive news that Waylon is now breathing on his own.
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Sharing a photo of the tot, they wrote: "Update as of right now they done the scope there is just swelling that they are going to give him steroids for. Once the swelling goes down they will be able to take the vent out.
"He is breathing on his own just the swelling in his airway is making it hard without the tube there. They are planning a mri in a few days to check his brain for the bleeding and swelling again."
They added that his mom and the whole village are by Waylon's side.
The post concluded: "God works in mysterious ways but he is there!!"
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While Waylon seems to be making some positive progress in hospital, the extent of his injuries could go on the affect him for the rest of his life.
“They said baby Waylon will not be the same baby. If he makes it, He’ll be wheelchair-bound. He will not be able to talk. He will not be able to feed himself,” said the infant’s grandmother, Christa Newman, as per KY3.
Waylon's grandfather Tyler Burbridge added: "It’s hard. I’m lost for words. As parents, our job is to protect our children and be there. This is the hardest fight that I’ve ever, I’ve ever had to do."
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Jordon Boggess is currently being held at the Newton County Jail without bail.
UNILAD have approached Newton County Missouri's Sheriff's Office for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.