Man Charged In Beating Of GF's Son; Left An Apology Note
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A Hinckley man was charged Thursday in the beating of his girlfriend's 3-year-old son.
The toddler was found unconscious and is currently on life support.
Jonathan Michael Loun, 31, has been charged with first-degree assault and malicious punishment of a child causing great bodily harm.
But prosecutors say more severe charges will be added if Daunty Sears is taken off of life support.
Loun was babysitting Sears Monday night as the boy's mother worked an overnight shift.
Around midnight, Loun texted her: "Dude, I heard him whining like 5 minutes ago n this is how I find him knocked out."
When she returned home Tuesday morning, her son was unresponsive and bleeding from the mouth and nose.
His mother showed police a note she said Loun left for her:
"I picked Daunty up off the floor and changed him. He pissed on me and I snapped. I banged his head on the floor. He's not okay. I'm so sorry. I stayed up icing his head. I don't know. I'm a f----- up person. I'm sorry. I love you. I'm done with life. All I do is hurt people. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I hurt Daunty. I'm sorry. I love you.
Thank you for loving me and I'm sorry you loved me. I'm done. I'm gone. I love you."
The boy's mother called 911, and he was taken to Minneapolis Children's Hospital. He is in critical condition.
A doctor at the hospital said the boys injuries were associated with severe child abuse.
Loun's sister said she picked him up from the Sears home Tuesday morning and took him to babysit her own kids while she went to work.
Police found Loun in the woods near his sister's house. He had a blanket, a one-gallon water jug and a knife he had used to cut wounds on his arms.
If convicted, Loun faces up to 20 years behind bars. But if Sears is taken off life support and dies, prosecutors say Loun will face murder charges.
