Fernandina Beach, FL – A Florida couple faces multiple felony charges stemming from an incident involving their six-month-old child. Jasper Shick, 34, and Sarah Rediker, 36, are accused of child abuse and neglect after allegedly inflicting serious injuries on their infant.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges earlier this week. Shick is charged with aggravated child abuse and making false statements to investigators while Rediker faces charges for child neglect and filing a false report.
Police initiated an investigation after the child’s grandmother brought the baby to a local hospital with a broken femur. Medical staff alerted authorities on Monday evening about the serious nature of the injury, which required surgery.
Detectives later interviewed the grandmother, who allowed them to enter her home, where the child and parents reside. Inside the home, police observed a baby crib in a closet, empty alcohol cans in the main bedroom, and accessible marijuana paraphernalia.
The investigation revealed that Shick allegedly squeezed the child during a diaper change around 7 p.m. when the baby became fussy. Shick reportedly knew the child was injured yet chose not to seek medical help.
The child’s grandmother took action after arriving at the home around 10 p.m. and noticing the severity of the situation. It is reported that both Shick and Rediker had consumed alcohol and marijuana prior to the incident.
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper described the case as upsetting, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable children. Following their arrest on Tuesday, Shick and Rediker are being held on $75,000 and $50,000 bond, respectively, with a no-contact order issued against them.