"Newborn John" ELDRIDGE - 12 Weeks - Sparta/Chattanooga TN

Chattanooga officials arrested a Sparta man last week for
attempted first-degree murder after staff at Erlanger Hospital reported
his baby’s heart rate had drastically dropped several times when the
suspect was close to him during visitation.

According to
officials at Hamilton County Sheriff Office, Dakota James Eldridge, 19,
of 3221 Golden Mountain Rd., is still incarcerated under a $1,100,000
bond.



Eldridge is charged with attempted first-degree murder and
aggravated child abuse. Eldridge reportedly confessed to police that he
had pinched his 12-week-old son’s nose and covered his mouth several
times to stop his breathing.




The child had reportedly been sent to
Erlanger Hospital with “multiple ailments.” A staff member detained
Eldridge and called police after observing Eldridge’s alleged actions.

Eldridge appeared in court, on June 7, 2011, in Hamilton County. His case was bound over to the Grand Jury.
http://www.spartaexpositor.com/articles/2011/06/09/news/doc4df0c7374691e578429666.txt