New Bern man charged with child abuse

NEW BERN, N.C. — Authorities have accused a North Carolina man of abusing a 10-month-old boy, who is hospitalized in critical condition.

The Sun Journal of New Bern reported that 28-year-old Ishmael Beutel Worthington was arrested by New Bern police Tuesday afternoon. Police spokeswoman Beth Stevenson said Worthington was charged with intentional child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.

Bail was set for Worthington at $250,000.

Deputy Police Chief Ed Preston said the boy is suffering from shaken baby syndrome. He was taken by his aunt to Craven Regional Medical Center in New Bern before he was transferred to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.

Police said Worthington, who lives in the home with two other adults including the child’s mother, was acting as the child’s babysitter.

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