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3:27 p.m. • 2-12-12

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Soldier Charged With Abusing Infant Son


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Darris LeBron White, soldier charged with child abuse
Darris LeBron White, soldier charged with child abuse

A Fort Bragg soldier has been arrested in connection with serious injuries that his 8-month-old son suffered, police said.

Spc. Darris Lebron White, 26, of 913 Bridgette St. in Fayetteville, was charged with felony child abuse and was being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $20,000 secured bond.

The infant was in three hospitals for a total of four weeks, and police said the child suffered brain injuries and a broken leg.

The child and his 2-year-old brother have been placed in foster care, authorities said. A custody hearing has been scheduled for next Thursday to determine whether the children shoudl return to their parents' care.

Police said White, a mechanic with the 21st Military Police Company at Fort Bragg, was the only person in his west Fayetteville apartment with the child on Dec. 11, which is when authorities said they believe the injuries occurred.

Investigators said they had to wait for doctors to provide information on the child's condition before filing a child abuse charge against White.

Investigators wouldn't say how the infant was injured, but said White's version of the incident didn't match the injuries.

White's wife, who declined to provide her name, told WRAL that she believes her husband would never hurt either of the children. The baby was hurt after falling off the couch, she said.

White, who hasn't been deployed in more than a year, has faced no previous criminal charges, according to a check of court and military records.

Authorities are trying to portray White as another soldier who couldn't handle the stress of duty and snapped at home, his wife said.

RELATED TOPICS: Cumberland County, Fort Bragg, Fayetteville

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well said...thinkbeforeyouspeak. As a passionate liberal, I am often the one making such an argument. I feel differently about this situation however...quite possibly b/c it involves child abuse, which is so disgusting it certainly may skew ones' perception. Based the lengthy amount of time this particular incident was investigated before any arrests were made is comforting however. Also, the seriousness of the injuries, as described in this article, are especially disturbing and whoever is responsible likely poses a serious threat to society that cannot be viewed passively. I say the bond for such a heinous crime should be substantially higher if enough evidence is available to charge him in the first place.

Thinkb4uspeak, this is said with 100% sincerity!

Well said, and quite thought-provoking! Thank you!!

Why is his bond only $20,000? There should not be one because this is his blood child,he is in the military and there are stiff conduct codes. Shame on him. I hope he pays dearly.

Where is the due process folks? The injuries may have been misinterpreted by authorities; it wouldn't be the first time. The claims of abuse have not been substantiated yet, only alleged. There are many "accidental" ways for a child to get hurt. It may have just been negligence, which would still be unfortunate, but why the rush to judgment? I am reading words like "the infant was a punching bag" and "post traumatic stress disorder" and "beating" They aren't even sure when the alleged abuse took place. If he is guilty of child abuse, punish him, but don't convict him based off of this story.

The reason I am so passionate is because my father was detained and questioned when I was younger for "apparent signs of abusing" inflicted upon me. I had dislocated my arm while we were playing innocently. The experience was difficult for my family and personally insulting to my father. The professionals were certain my arm couldn't have twisted that way playing. Obviously it could.

I don't know about PTSD, but there does seem to be a lot of military people in the news for violence against loved ones.

I suppose it's hard to reorient one's self from a world of "kill or be killed" back to a normal existence where killing is called murder, and abuse is unacceptable.

I agree that someone is dropping the ball when our people come back home. There should be continuing psychological evaluations for an undetermined period of time upon return from the war zone.

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