Terre Haute man accused of shaking, abusing girlfriend's baby

ICN file photo

Rowan/ Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man was arrested yesterday after police say he battered his girlfriend's baby a day earlier.

Noah A. Rowans, 21, was booked into the Vigo County Jail around 6:30 p.m. He is charged with Level 6 felony neglect of a dependant.

Rowans was taken into custody at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, after police say he admitted to shaking and battering the 2-month-old infant while his girlfriend was at work.

The infant was transported to the Indianapolis hospital by helicopter for treatment of serious injuries suffered as a result of allegedly being shaken by the suspect-- from jostling the baby's unsupported head and neck. ​
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According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by Detective Troy Pesavento, of the Terre Haute Police Department, Rowans admitted he had "lifted the victim up and down multiple times, and while doing this, [he] stated that he noticed the victim's head whip back and forth" to the point the baby was in obvious distress.

The infant appeared to be in an altered state of consciousness. Rowans told investigators the baby was  in obvious pain and not breathing normally after the incident. 

In fact, the baby reportedly suffered bleeding on his brain, uncontrolled seizures and an unregulated heart rate as a result of the alleged abuse.

Rowans remains held in the jail on $50,000 bond, no 10 percent allowed. He is scheduled to appear in Div. 6 court Dec. 1.