An 18-year-old from Des Moines has been charged with horrible violence against his FIVE-MONTH-OLD son, in a case police call "pretty sickening."

Dominick Joseph Clausi via Polk County Jail
Dominick Joseph Clausi via Polk County Jail
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Dominick Joseph Clausi's son remains at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines with bruising, a brain bleed, and skull fractures. Authorities believe Clausi beat and shook the boy, bit him on at least one occasion, and also pushed the child's face into a pillow.

Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek told the Des Moines Register,

He has a long road to recovery... It's a gut-wrenching case. It's one of those things that breaks your heart, but makes your blood boil at the same time.

That's where I am. My blood is boiling. Violence is bad enough but if these allegations are true... Violence against those who have no way to protect themselves absolutely infuriates me.

Police were made aware of the accusations against Clausi on December 7. Des Moines Police detectives believe Clausi abused the baby at least three times. He was arrested Tuesday, December 12.

Clausi is being held in the Polk County Jail and is charged with multiple acts of child endangerment. The Linn County Attorney's Office tells me a conviction on the Super B felony charge would result in mandatory jail time with a maximum sentence of up to 50 years.

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