Half million-dollar bond for accused child abuser

An arrest warrant was served in Putnam County yesterday against a Hastings man wanted for aggravated child abuse who admitted squeezing a four month-old infant “too hard” because he would not stop crying.

Several days after the February incident, 21 year-old Jay Louis Bergeron Jr., who lives in an apartment at 805 Merkerson Street in Hastings, told Special Victims Unit detectives about what happened.

The child was taken to Putnam Community Hospital in Palatka on February 5th — he had to be transferred to Shands Hospital in Gainesville due to the severity of his injuries.

Doctors determined that the child suffered a fractured femur as well as fractures in other body parts.

Investigators with the Florida Division of Children and Families reported the incident to St. Johns County Sheriff’s deputies after they learned that the baby was injured two days earlier — but was not transported to the medical facility until the following day.

Due to inconsistencies in the parent’s statements, the infant was removed from the parent’s custody; for its own protection.

The State Attorney’s office continued the investigation and obtained an arrest warrant; which was served by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office once Bergeron was located.

Bergeron is being held in the St. Johns County Detention Facility in lieu of $500,000 bond.