Baby suffers brain damage after mother's boyfriend admits to 'bear hugging'

Missouri baby recovers from brain injury while mother’s ex-boyfriend faces child abuse charges

10-month-old Waylon Burbridge has been released from hospital after suffering serious injuries.

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – A seriously injured Missouri child leaves the hospital after his mother’s ex-boyfriend admitted to “bear hugging” the baby after a fall.

Bessie Burbridge of Newton County said last month she was at home with her 10-month-old son Waylon and her then-boyfriend Jordan.

Burbridge said she placed the baby in a bouncer while she went to the bathroom.

“I was in the bathroom for like a minute at most and Jordan just came in screaming with him (Waylon) in his arm,” she told FOX Television Stations. “He was completely limp and not breathing.”

Burbridge said she called 911 and attempted CPR. First responders arrived and took Waylon to the hospital.

Local authorities became involved and interviewed Jordan, Burbridge said.

10-month-old Waylon is recovering from a serious brain injury after his mother’s boyfriend admitted to ‘bear hugging’ him. (Credit: Bessie Burbridge)

Burbridge said her ex-boyfriend told authorities he playfully threw Waylon in the air. However, the second time he failed to catch the child and Waylon fell to the ground.

Burbridge said Jordan confessed that “He (Waylon) hit the ground, and it made him scream more than the {Jordan} bear hugged him until he stopped crying.”

However, doctors and researchers believe Waylon suffered from shaken baby syndrome, which can result in serious brain damage. according to the Mayo Clinic.

“I’ve known Jordan for about four years now,” Burbridge added. “I never thought he could do something like this.”

The mother said her son suffered serious injuries to the brain and other areas. She said her son now suffers from limited vision, seizures and muscle pain, which may require him to undergo physical therapy for the rest of his life.

“It’s definitely been a rollercoaster of emotions,” she said.

However, she said Waylon has beaten the odds and recovered more than doctors expected. She said Waylon is mobile again.

“He has proven them wrong every step of the way,” she continued.

Burbridge said her ex-boyfriend is now behind bars on child abuse charges. She also said she filed a restraining order against him.

In the meantime, she has set up a GoFundMe page to help with costs.

“I feel like Waylon’s stories should be public,” she said.

FOX Television Stations has contacted the Newton County Sheriff’s Office for comment.