Suspected shaken infant suffers collapsed lung, father arrested
OXFORD TWP., Mich. (FOX 2) - An infant is fighting for her life with a collapsed lung, likely left blind with brain damage as horrifying results of suspected Shaken Baby Syndrome, as her father sits in jail facing first-degree child abuse charges.
Emily Paige is just six weeks old and is currently in critical condition, fighting to live with the help of machines and doctors at the Children's Hospital.
"She was always smiling. If I told she was mommy's girl, she would smile," said her mother, Kayla Rziemkowski.
RELATED: Deputies: Infant in critical condition after shaken by father
This mom fights back tears, knowing it would take a miracle to see Emily smile again. The infant was allegedly left in the care of her father, Christopher Williams, at the home they share in Oxford Township when he called her Friday morning.
"He said she was laying on the couch on her side, took a big, deep breath and never let it out. And they said no, that can't be it, because she has brain damage," Rziemkowski said.
Emily's grandmother says after Williams was arrested, the story changed.
"He fessed up and said I did it, I shook her. And then a few minutes later, they said that he just looked at them and just said, I'm just so glad to get it off my chest," Stephany Riney said.
Williams and the child's mother have been together for five years, have two other kids together ages two and one.
"I thought he would never hurt one of them," Rziemkowski said.
It is alleged that all that changed this past weekend.
"I want him to go away for life because this baby is laying there suffering and she didn't deserve this," Riney said.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help as the baby fights for life. Click here to donate.
"We are hoping that she does pull through but if she doesn't, we're going to need as much as we can for funeral expenses, medical expenses and for mom, and the two other children," Riney said.
Williams was arraigned on felony child abuse charges, which carries a max sentence of life in prison. He's being held on a half million dollar bond.
As for the baby, doctors will test for brain activity on Wednesday, when they could be forced to make a very difficult decision.