BY DAN HORN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Shawn Brumfield
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A Westwood man will face life in prison if he is convicted of raping his girlfriend's 7-month-old son.
Shawn Brumfield, 19, became eligible for the sentence Thursday when he was indicted on charges of rape, felonious assault and endangering children.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters said the abuse may have occurred on more than one occasion.
"This is not the act of someone who just thought of it," Mr. Deters said. "I don't know how long it's been going on."
He said the child continues to suffer from "shaken baby syndrome," which causes swelling and bleeding in the brain. Doctors also have discovered that the baby has a sexually transmitted disease.
The baby remains in serious condition at Children's Hospital.
Mr. Deters said the evidence against Mr. Brumfield includes injuries to the baby that are consistent with rape and a statement the suspect gave police after his arrest. He would not say whether Mr. Brumfield admitted the crime in his statement.
Mr. Deters also left open the possibility that the child's mother could face charges for leaving the baby in Mr. Brumfield's care. At the time of the alleged offense, Mr. Brumfield had lived at his girlfriend's house for about four months.
"We've charged mothers before for allowing abusers to care for their children," Mr. Deters said. "This is a disgusting pattern that we see over and over again."
Police have said that Mr. Brumfield was baby-sitting the boy when the first attack occurred on Oct. 15. He is accused of raping the baby again on Oct. 16.
After the last attack, police say, Mr. Brumfield called his girlfriend at work to tell her the baby was sick. The mother took the boy to Children's Hospital, where doctors discovered the internal injuries.
Because force was used and the child is under age 13, Mr. Deters said Mr. Brumfield would face a mandatory life sentence if he is convicted.
