A heartbreaking case of child neglect and abuse lands an Omaha father behind bars.
The 18-month-old boy is at Children's Hospital and Medical Center, severely malnourished, weighing only 14 pounds. A healthy 18-month-old should weigh twice that.
Police were called to the area of 36th and Redick last Saturday for a shooting. During that investigation, police found (unrelated to the shooting) 23-year-old Amos Simpson inside the house wanted on an outstanding warrant. Also inside the house was his 18-month old son.
“This child, obviously malnourished, not being fed properly if at all, had some serious injuries, obviously some serious health problems because of the neglect and abuse that this child suffered,” said Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.
The child was brought to the hospital by his grandmother and police reports indicate the doctor then contacted OPD. Along with malnourishment, the boy was suffering from severe eczema, scabbed and scarred on his upper body and head. The doctor also told police there are signs the boy was beaten or abused.
“We've charged the father, this Amos Simpson, with child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, which is a Class II felony and carries up to 50 years,” said Kleine. “The child is in the hospital, so we'll see how that goes. Obviously we hope the child will recover.”
A relative inside the home told Channel 6 News the boy did eat and was healthy, but according to doctors, the boy cannot walk or stand, not due to any medical condition, but because he simply wasn't fed.
“The child has been seriously neglected over a period of time and abused,” said Kleine. “Hopefully, the child can recover.”
We're told the boy's mother is not a part of his life. Simpson will be back in court on September 5th for a preliminary hearing. He's being held on a $15,000 bond. A second son was also removed from the home and placed in state custody.
