A 31-year-old Jacksonville man is accused of causing 25 fractures to a baby while trying to relieve the infant's gas. Anthony Hildreth admitted to police that he squeezed the child's ribs and used other techniques on June 30.
Hildreth told authorities he became frustrated when the baby cried and applied increasing pressure to the ribs until gas was released. He also performed bicycle kicks by pushing the infant's legs to the chest.
The child was taken to a hospital after breathing issues were noticed around 3 a.m. Medical staff found 24 rib fractures and one fracture to the right femur.
Hildreth was arrested on aggravated child abuse charges. He was released on a $50,003 bond and is on home detention with electronic monitoring. He has pleaded not guilty.