Topline: A Columbus toddler was left in critical condition with broken ribs and injuries to his spleen and liver after police say his mother came home from a work trip and found him blue and limp.
Published: August 27, 2026 11:34 am ET
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Shemar Vidales (Courtesy WBNS)
COLUMBUS, OH — A 24-year-old Columbus man is facing a felonious assault charge after a 14-month-old boy was rushed to a hospital in critical condition with hypothermia, two broken ribs, and lacerations to his spleen and liver, according to police.
The case began Sunday night when hospital social workers alerted investigators to a possible assault involving the toddler. NBC4 in Columbus reported that the child had been brought to an emergency room in critical condition after suffering multiple internal injuries.
Police said the child’s mother had been out of town for work over the weekend and left her son in the care of her boyfriend, identified as Shemar Vidales. When she returned home shortly after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, she told police the boy was blue, limp, and had eyes rolling into the back of his head.
A Columbus police domestic violence detective later interviewed Vidales at the hospital. According to the affidavit, Vidales said the child began crying and would not stop after being told to hush, and he became frustrated and struck the child twice on the right side of the body with his hand.
Vidales was arrested Sunday night and charged with felonious assault. Court records cited by local reporting show he was given a $1 million bond on Monday, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 2.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Columbus Man Charged After 14-Month-Old Boy Suffers Broken Ribs and Internal Injuries
A Columbus toddler was left in critical condition with broken ribs and injuries to his spleen and liver after police say his mother came home from a work trip and found him blue and limp.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 27, 2026 11:34 am ET
Shemar Vidales (Courtesy WBNS)
COLUMBUS, OH — A 24-year-old Columbus man is facing a felonious assault charge after a 14-month-old boy was rushed to a hospital in critical condition with hypothermia, two broken ribs, and lacerations to his spleen and liver, according to police.
The case began Sunday night when hospital social workers alerted investigators to a possible assault involving the toddler. NBC4 in Columbus reported that the child had been brought to an emergency room in critical condition after suffering multiple internal injuries.
Police said the child’s mother had been out of town for work over the weekend and left her son in the care of her boyfriend, identified as Shemar Vidales. When she returned home shortly after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, she told police the boy was blue, limp, and had eyes rolling into the back of his head.
A Columbus police domestic violence detective later interviewed Vidales at the hospital. According to the affidavit, Vidales said the child began crying and would not stop after being told to hush, and he became frustrated and struck the child twice on the right side of the body with his hand.
Vidales was arrested Sunday night and charged with felonious assault. Court records cited by local reporting show he was given a $1 million bond on Monday, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 2.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Columbus Man Charged After 14-Month-Old Boy Suffers Broken Ribs and Internal Injuries
A Columbus toddler was left in critical condition with broken ribs and injuries to his spleen and liver after police say his mother came home from a work trip and found him blue and limp.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: August 27, 2026 11:34 am ET
Shemar Vidales (Courtesy WBNS)
COLUMBUS, OH — A 24-year-old Columbus man is facing a felonious assault charge after a 14-month-old boy was rushed to a hospital in critical condition with hypothermia, two broken ribs, and lacerations to his spleen and liver, according to police.
The case began Sunday night when hospital social workers alerted investigators to a possible assault involving the toddler. NBC4 in Columbus reported that the child had been brought to an emergency room in critical condition after suffering multiple internal injuries.
Police said the child’s mother had been out of town for work over the weekend and left her son in the care of her boyfriend, identified as Shemar Vidales. When she returned home shortly after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, she told police the boy was blue, limp, and had eyes rolling into the back of his head.
A Columbus police domestic violence detective later interviewed Vidales at the hospital. According to the affidavit, Vidales said the child began crying and would not stop after being told to hush, and he became frustrated and struck the child twice on the right side of the body with his hand.
Vidales was arrested Sunday night and charged with felonious assault. Court records cited by local reporting show he was given a $1 million bond on Monday, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 2.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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