UPDATE -- A 3-month-old baby's mother was charged Friday in Tulsa District Court with child abuse murder after the infant died with severe head injuries.
Police released disturbing details in a possible case of horrendous child abuse.
Ledbetter is currently in Tulsa County Jail with bond set at $1 million.
It was a typical Thursday afternoon for Richard Oder, a neighbor of Ledbetter’s.
“I was in my shop working and I saw the flashing lights of a firetruck out here which is not unusual,” Oder said.
He said it felt like deja vu.
“It’s been such an occurrence here,” Oder said.
Oder said the sight of police, fire trucks and ambulances is common on this block, always responding to the same house.
The same home investigators searched Thursday afternoon near the 6200 block of east 60th St., after 3 month old, Zion, appeared at a hospital.
The child had life threatening injuries police believe were caused by physical abuse.
There's no punishment that can justify any kind of child abuse,” Oder said.
Police said the infant's mother originally told them the baby fell off the bed and was unresponsive. But according to an affidavit, the mother later admitted she lied, telling police she became frustrated when Zion wouldn't stop crying.
The affidavit states she picked Zion up by the back of the neck, and slammed him face down on the bed five times.
It states the baby bounced off the bed and hit his head on the dresser, then landed on the floor.
Zion suffered multiple skull fractures and severe internal injuries.
“I have prayers for the baby,” Oder said. “Hopefully they'll find and prove guilty the people who did it.”
Police said Zion and his mother were staying with friends at the time. Both parents were taken in for questioning, but police said Zion's father was not there when the incident happened.
Neighbors are upset that something so cruel, may have happened next door.
“It’s scary to know that that element is in the neighborhood,” Oder said.
It’s a fear that causes them to pray for a baby boy who's life was lost too soon.
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