A 4-month-old girl was rushed to a hospital after her father allegedly injured her so severely that doctors discovered multiple brain bleeds and hemorrhages described by authorities as “too numerous to count.”
Lance Kerschner, 25, is facing a charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury in Greenfield, Indiana, according to police. He is being held without bond at the Hancock County Jail.
The investigation began during the summer after Kerschner brought his unresponsive daughter to a hospital, prompting the Indiana Department of Child Services to contact law enforcement.
The infant was later transferred to a children’s hospital, where medical staff monitored her for two brain bleeds, according to court documents. Investigators subsequently examined the circumstances surrounding her injuries and questioned the father’s account of what happened.
Father Initially Blamed a Fall
During his first interview with investigators, Kerschner reportedly said he had picked up his daughter after she woke from a nap. He claimed he tripped while carrying her and that they both landed on a couch.
According to that account, he later realized the infant was not moving.
However, investigators obtained a more detailed timeline during a subsequent interview, according to court documents.
Kerschner allegedly told investigators that his daughter woke around 11:30 a.m. and seemed different from usual, crying more frequently. After dinner, he said, she was put to bed between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m.
The baby reportedly woke up crying about an hour later. Kerschner said he picked her up and began walking with her before tripping onto the couch.
He later told a relative about the incident and took the child to the hospital, according to the documents.
Medical findings, however, raised serious questions about whether a fall could explain the extent of the infant’s injuries.
Investigators Examined Claims of Shaking
During the investigation, a relative described Kerschner as becoming loud and aggressive when frustrated. The relative reportedly said he sometimes picked up the baby too quickly when upset.
When a Department of Child Services caseworker asked whether he might have picked up his daughter too forcefully, Kerschner allegedly acknowledged that it was a possibility.
Court documents also indicate that he later suggested the girl’s injuries could have resulted from shaking her while he was stressed.
Investigators said the infant suffered several brain bleeds and numerous hemorrhages. According to authorities, the injuries were inconsistent with an ordinary fall and instead indicated inflicted trauma.
Kerschner also reportedly described becoming overwhelmed by the baby’s crying. He told investigators that the television was on while she was crying and that the combination of sounds could nearly bring on a migraine.
He allegedly acknowledged that he did not know what to do when the infant cried.
In another account, Kerschner said he noticed the baby was not moving while changing her diaper. He contacted a relative and began to panic. When he attempted to place her in her car seat, he reportedly realized she was limp.
The statements documented by investigators became a central part of the case as authorities worked to establish what happened before the child was taken for medical treatment.
Father Allegedly Expressed Remorse
During questioning, Kerschner reportedly accepted responsibility for hurting his daughter.
“I mean, I hurt my daughter and I feel horrible about it,” he allegedly told police. “I just wish I was in a coma.”
His reported statements form part of the evidence described in court documents. The criminal charge, however, remains an allegation, and the case must proceed through the legal system.
Authorities have not established guilt through a conviction in the information provided.
Why Shaking Can Be So Dangerous for Infants
The case highlights the serious risks associated with abusive head trauma, a type of brain injury that can occur when an infant is violently shaken or suffers a forceful impact.
Babies are especially vulnerable because their neck muscles are weak and their heads are proportionally large. Violent movement can cause the brain to move inside the skull, potentially leading to bleeding, swelling and damage to delicate brain tissue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, abusive head trauma can cause bleeding around the brain or behind the eyes and may lead to lasting disabilities or death.
The effects can extend beyond the initial medical emergency. Some children who survive severe head injuries experience developmental delays, vision or hearing problems, seizures, or long-term physical disabilities.
A baby who becomes unusually sleepy, limp, unresponsive, difficult to wake, or unable to feed after a possible injury needs immediate medical attention.
The CDC also emphasizes that persistent crying is common in early infancy, even when a caregiver finds it difficult to manage. If frustration becomes overwhelming, caregivers should place the baby safely in a crib, step away briefly to regain control, and seek help from a trusted person. A baby should never be shaken.
What Happens Next?
Kerschner remains detained without bond at the Hancock County Jail as the criminal case moves forward.
The charge of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury concerns alleged conduct that endangered a child and resulted in significant harm. The prosecution must establish the allegations through the legal process.
The case also underscores the importance of prompt medical care when an infant suddenly becomes unresponsive or displays unusual behavior. When a child’s injuries do not appear consistent with the explanation provided, medical professionals and investigators may work together to determine how the injuries occurred.
For now, the investigation centers on the events leading up to the infant’s hospitalization, the medical evidence documenting her injuries and the statements attributed to her father.
The child’s long-term condition and any further developments in the court proceedings were not detailed in the information available.
