Man suspected of fracturing infant’s arm in Bellingham
Bellingham police arrested a man suspected of using “excessive force” and breaking the left arm of a four-month-old child he was familiar with earlier this year during a diaper or clothing change.
Daniel Murray Cunniff, 25, was booked into Whatcom County Jail Friday, July 10, on suspicion of third-degree assault of a child (domestic violence) and interfering with the report of domestic violence. Jail records show he was released on personal recognizance later Friday.
Police received information on May 19 from a Child Protective Services intake report after a spiral fracture was discovered to the child’s left arm during an emergency room visit, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
The investigation showed that Cunniff was responsible for causing the injury during a diaper or clothing change, Murphy reported.
A medical review by Seattle Children’s Hospital stated, ““this type of fracture can occur when excessive force is used in changing an infant’s clothing. The amount of force required to break a child’s arm is significantly above what is appropriate for normal infant care and handling.”
Cunniff also tried to prevent another adult caring for the infant from going to the hospital by yelling at her and jumping into the vehicle as she attempted to leave, Murphy reported.
Cunniff turned himself into police on Friday.
Resources
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollns.org.
▪ Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.
