Babysitter arrested in Mayport child abuse case

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Published: 10/04/2012 11:11 am

Updated: 10/04/2012 12:19 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A local babysitter has been charged with child abuse for putting a 12-month-old in the hospital with massive head trauma.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office was called to 1000 Bunker Hill Court Wednesday after they received a call about an unresponsive baby.

Rescue units took the baby to UF & Shands Jacksonville with massive head trauma. Doctors told police the victim had bruising from ear to ear and that it was due to violent shaking.

The family's babysitter, Ricky Valentine, was taken into custody for questioning. Police charged Valentine, 29, with Aggravated Child Abuse.

The baby is doing much better and is expected to survive.

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LeilaMae - 10/8/2012 11:27 PM

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I concur with Mikey - I have never seen a father be so patient with children, not only with his own but with the children around him such as Mikey's below. We were all stationed in Virginia Beach together and they are all my closest friends. I babysat kids and always had those children around Rickey. I spent a good 6 months with Rickey in his home while his wife, my best friend, was at work and never once saw him scream, yell or raise a hand to those kids. I pray that the system sees this. He is one of the best stay-at-home Dads I have ever seen. He has the patience of a saint.

mikeyjohnston - 10/8/2012 6:52 PM

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I have known ricky for years. He has been a loving and patient father. I have seen how he handles children. he is a nuturer and smart. He is incapable of shaking a baby, he knows better and I know for a fact that he wouldn't do this. Mikey, a dear friend from Virginia beach.

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