BUCKHANNON, WV – A West Virginia man faces serious charges after authorities allege video evidence revealed him handling his infant child with alarming aggression. Jeremiah Burkhammer, 19, found himself in custody after the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding the footage.
The investigation began when the infant’s grandmother presented the Sheriff’s Office with a video on February 13, which she claimed showed Burkhammer mishandling his 4-month-old child during the early morning hours.
According to the criminal complaint, the video captures Burkhammer’s disturbing behavior as he attempts to force the child to sleep.
In the footage, Burkhammer reportedly picks up the baby without proper support for the head or neck, then allegedly places the child back down in a way that causes the baby’s head to move violently. This incident reportedly occurred in the span of a few minutes, around 1:45 a.m.
As the video progresses, Burkhammer can allegedly be seen expressing frustration after the baby turns on a pillow, leading him to yank it away and utter obscenities. The footage allegedly shows subsequent mistreatment, including Burkhammer flinging the baby onto the pillow and harshly insisting the baby take a bottle.
Another alarming moment in the footage reveals Burkhammer allegedly smacking the child on the chest, thereafter covering the infant’s mouth while instructing, “Breathe out your nose, not your mouth.” The complaint notes that this action lasted 28 seconds, during which the baby was visibly distressed and crying.
Burkhammer is charged with gross neglect of a child, creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, alongside a count of strangulation, suffocation, or asphyxiation. He remains in custody at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail with a bond set at $225,000. A preliminary hearing is slated for February 21, where further details regarding the case may emerge.
This situation highlights the serious consequences of alleged child neglect and emphasizes the critical role of vigilant family members and law enforcement in protecting vulnerable individuals. As the investigation proceeds, the well-being and future safety of the infant remains a paramount concern for the authorities involved.