KC man is charged with child abuse after play date lands 1-year-old boy in critical condition

A 30-year-old Kansas City man has been charged with child abuse after a 1-year-old boy was brought to the hospital in critical condition on Monday.

Jackson County prosecutors charged John C. Sherman with one count of felony child abuse Wednesday, accusing Sherman of injuring a friend’s son during a play date with Sherman’s child.

The boy’s mother told police that she had dropped him off at his father’s house on Oct. 31, according to court documents. When the father returned the boy Monday, the mother thought the boy seemed drowsy and she found bruises on his back and chest.

The father told the mother that their son had been injured during a play date with Sherman and Sherman’s 1-year-old daughter.

Later, the mother found the boy limp and unresponsive. She brought the boy to the hospital, where doctors said he had a lacerated liver and internal bleeding.

When questioned by police, Sherman said his 1-year-old daughter had hit the boy over the head with a wooden hammer about five times and pushed him off a couch. Sherman posted photos to social media showing the boy with visible injuries.

Sherman remained in the Jackson County jail Saturday night, with bond set at $100,000.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 7:49 PM with the headline "KC man is charged with child abuse after play date lands 1-year-old boy in critical condition."