Cd'A man suspected of injuring toddler's skull and brain

A Coeur d’Alene man is accused of severely injuring his 17-month-old stepchild.

Joseph John Davis, 31, was arrested Friday evening after Coeur d’Alene police officers were called to a Fifth Street address to assist medical personnel. Officers found the baby at the scene having breathing difficulty and showing signs of obvious head trauma. The toddler was transported to Kootenai Health and later flown to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Medical personnel determined the child had severe trauma to the skull and brain.

Officers spoke to Davis, the baby's stepfather who was reportedly home alone with the child for about 20 minutes. Davis claimed he didn’t know what caused the baby’s injuries, according to officers who questioned him at the scene. The man was later interviewed by Coeur d’Alene police detectives and arrested and is now facing a felony charge of injury to child.

The investigation remains active.