Stephen and Tina Palmer: Miami parents arrested for child abuse as 2-month-old son found with 18 rib fractures and permanent brain damage

Warning: If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

MIAMI, FLORIDA: A married couple in Florida was detained after it was reported that they beat their 2-month-old son to the point of permanent brain damage and 18 broken ribs.

According to court documents obtained, Stephen Michael Palmer, 42, and his wife Tina Joy Palmer, 37, were both taken into custody on Friday and charged with one count each of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm.

Child suffered 18 fractures, brain bleed, neurological damage

Stephen Palmer is also charged with one count of severe child abuse or torture that causes serious physical harm.

On the morning of January 3, 2023, emergency medical personnel responded to a call regarding an unresponsive infant at Edwards Apartments, a housing unit located in the 900 block of Collins Avenue in South Beach.

This information is based on a probable cause affidavit obtained by WTVJ. According to reports, Stephen Palmer discovered his son unconscious while his wife was at work.

He then dialed 911. Afterward, he reported to the police that his son had "blue-colored lips" when he had first seen him that morning.  First responders reportedly found the victim at the scene, revived him with CPR, and rushed him to Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The child's condition was so severe that even though doctors were able to revive him, he needed more specialized care. They intubated him and airlifted him to the pediatric intensive care unit at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Medical staff reported that the victim's injuries "presented a level of concern" that was consistent with frequent physical abuse to the Miami-Dade Police Department.

In addition to a fractured right hand, brain bleed, neurological damage, and a "visibly bruised and swollen left testicle that was hemorrhaged," the boy also suffered eighteen fractures, many of which were still healing, according to Local10.

Furthermore, medical professionals reportedly informed investigators that the newborn's brain injuries were probably going to leave permanent scars.

“It was noted that these injuries were not consistent with CPR and were deemed highly suspicious for non-accidental trauma indicative of severe physical abuse,” police wrote in the affidavit.

Parents' thoughts regarding their son's tragic injuries

Stephen and Tina Palmer, the victim's parents, reportedly stated in interviews that they were unaware of how their son had sustained his nearly fatal injuries.

Stephen acknowledged that he was the boy's primary caregiver because his wife worked two jobs. He allegedly told police detectives that the boy had a fever, was throwing up, and was crying more than usual and that he thought the boy had colic.

He allegedly couldn't, however, “unable to explain the events that occurred prior to finding (the victim) unresponsive.”

Stephen went on to say that because his son was "very fragile," he might have sustained a long list of injuries.

According to reports, Tina Palmer informed the police that her son had been acting "fussier" than usual and that he had been crying more frequently.

Allegedly, she stated that she believed her son's behavior was because he was overly congested from consuming less milk than usual. Tina Palmer is being held on a $100,000 bond, while Stephen Palmer is being held without bond.