April 17, 2006
Press Release

Father Being Held for Beating of Baby Daughter

A 21 year old Vinton man is currently being held in the Bedford Blue Ridge Regional Jail on child abuse charges which allegedly occurred Saturday night, April 15, 2006.

Dwayne Allen Smith of Vinton has been charged by Bedford County Sheriff's Office after Deputy Neal received a complaint from a staff member at the Cariloin Roanoke Community Hospital concerning suspicious injuries to a 5 week old female infant.

Smith, who is 6'2" and weighs over 140lbs, claims while caring for one of their twin daughters, she had fallen off the couch and injured herself. When the mother returned home from shopping with the other twin, she noticed bruises on the baby's face and what she described as a deformity to the infant's head. The mother of the twins took the baby to the emergency room and staff immediately contacted the Sheriff's Office of their suspicions.

After further examination and CT scan of the infant's head, Doctors discovered two skull fractures and blood spots on the baby's brain; injuries that were not consistent with the father's statement. She was immediately transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care unit where she is being watched closely.

While interviewing the father, Investigator M Mayhew was able to obtain a full confession. Smith stated that he "just lost it" when the baby wouldn't stop crying and he started shaking the child. When the baby wouldn't stop crying and wouldn't eat, he then struck the baby 2 to 3 times in the head with his fist and then struck her across the fact with the baby bottle.

Mayhew issued warrants for Smith's arrest and he is now being held on Malicious Wounding and Abuse/Neglect of a child; causing serious injury. Each carry felony charges which are punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison on each charge.

Contact: Robin Sundquist – Admin Officer – 540.586.4800