news-record.com

DANBURY (MCT) — A Sandy Ridge couple have been charged with attempted first-degree murder and other offenses after their 4-month-old son was severely injured at their home and left in a vegetative state.

The baby, identified in court papers as William Dean Plaster III, has three broken ribs, a broken right leg, head trauma that consists of a bruised chin and bleeding in his brain and retina, said Maj. Durward Bennett of the Stokes County Sheriff's Office.

His parents took the boy to the Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden on April 22. Doctors there examined him and called authorities about his injuries, Bennett said.

The baby was later transferred to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where doctors determined that he is in a vegetative state caused by his injuries.

Arrest warrants say the baby has suffered neurological damage and permanent impairment.

His parents, William Dean Plaster Jr. and Shannon Audrey Casey Fortenberry, were each charged Thursday with attempted first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and two counts of felony child abuse.

Plaster and Fortenberry, both 37 years old and both of 2542 Amostown Road, are accused of trying to kill their son, and severely injuring him from Jan. 9 to April 22, the warrants say.

The boy was released from Wake Forest Baptist, a hospital spokeswoman said. He has been placed in a foster home.

Plaster and Fortenberry were being held in the Stokes County Jail on bonds of $10 million each. They are scheduled to appear in court June 16.