Missouri Father Charged with Murder After Shaking 1-Month-Old Son to Death

Nicholas Vanderschaaf, 26, faces second-degree murder charges after his infant son Isaac died from injuries sustained on July 26. He allegedly argued with his wife about going to the hospital because he wanted sleep.

Springfield Man Charged with Murder After Fatal Shaking of Infant Son

A Missouri father has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of his one-month-old son, whom he allegedly shook until the baby went limp — and then resisted taking to the hospital because he wanted to sleep before work.

Nicholas Vanderschaaf, 26, of Springfield, faces charges of second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child, according to Law & Crime, which reviewed the probable cause affidavit in the case. The charges were upgraded after Isaac Vanderschaaf, born just one month earlier, was removed from life support and died on Aug. 6.

From concert to crisis

Vanderschaaf told police he returned home from a concert around 2:30 a.m. on July 26. Isaac began crying, and Vanderschaaf changed his diaper and attempted to soothe him. When the baby began "screaming" and would not stop, Vanderschaaf allegedly grabbed him by the neck and shook him.

Isaac went "limp and unresponsive." Vanderschaaf told investigators he "knew he was 'never, ever supposed to shake a baby'" but said he "did it" and "started losing it." He then struck the infant twice in the face in an attempt to revive him, and shook him a second time when the baby failed to respond. Isaac developed labored breathing, and Vanderschaaf woke his wife.

Argument over the hospital

While his wife attempted to suction mucus from the baby's throat and asked her husband to perform CPR, she told police that Vanderschaaf "argued with her about going to the hospital because he wanted to get some sleep before work." The couple also argued over who would drive.

Vanderschaaf ultimately got behind the wheel, but his wife told investigators that despite empty roads at 3 a.m. and Isaac being "unresponsive and not breathing," her husband drove only a couple of miles over the speed limit — showing no urgency to reach Cox Medical Center South Emergency and Trauma Center in Springfield.

After dropping them off, Vanderschaaf went to work. He was told to return to the hospital. Isaac had been placed on life support.

Extensive injuries

Doctors found the infant had suffered an intracranial hemorrhage, a retinal hemorrhage, a tectorial membrane detachment in his spine, several fractures in both legs, and bruising around his neck. Police noted in the affidavit that Vanderschaaf's wife had reported minor injuries on the baby prior to the hospitalization.

Vanderschaaf also allegedly admitted to a previous shaking incident, attributing his behavior to "anxiety" and describing himself as "not the most calm."

During a separate earlier episode, Vanderschaaf's wife said her husband brought Isaac to her after the baby became unresponsive following vomiting. Vanderschaaf then reportedly left them and went to the bathroom "for personal sexual reasons." As Isaac's body temperature dropped to 93 degrees and his breathing turned raspy, his wife became distressed and began crying. Vanderschaaf allegedly "rolled his eyes and thought she was being dramatic."

Investigators stated they believe some of Isaac's injuries were inflicted before July 26.

Bond and charges

Isaac was taken off life support and died on Aug. 6. Vanderschaaf was charged with second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child on Aug. 19. He pleaded not guilty on Aug. 20 and remains out of custody on a $50,000 surety bond, subject to house arrest and GPS monitoring.

Local CBS affiliate KOLR reported that the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office requested a bond reconsideration following the upgraded charges. A bond hearing was scheduled for Sept. 3.

Source: Law & Crime