19-year-old Utah man told police he ‘exploded’ before allegedly abusing and killing his crying 2-month old baby

A 19-year-old man from Clearfield was arrested Monday for allegedly abusing his 2-month-old son, who died on Saturday.

Clint Corydon Nokes told police he “finally exploded” because he was tired of the baby’s crying. He would “chuck” the infant onto the couch or into his swing, he told police, and would pull the baby out of the swing by his legs.

Earlier last week, the infant hit his head in the kitchen sink after Nokes dropped him into it, according to a probable cause statement filed in 2nd District Court. He also told police he carried the infant by the leg, and had jumped up and down while holding him.

The baby boy stopped breathing on Friday, Nokes reported to police. Nokes had been burping the baby after feeding him, and the baby wouldn’t burp. When he lifted the baby away from him, the infant “went limp” and gasped, the probable cause statement says.

Nokes called the baby’s mother, and then 911, and the baby was taken to Davis Hospital and Medical Center. Doctors reported the infant had a skull fracture, bleeding on brain, detached retinas and bruising on his head and ribs, according to the probable cause statement.

The baby was transferred to Primary Children’s Hospital, where he died Saturday from his injuries.

An autopsy found the child had a skull fracture, and a rib, his left arm and right leg were broken, the probable cause statement says. His spinal fluid was bloody and both optic nerves in the boy’s eyes showed signs of hemorrhage.

Nokes was booked Monday into Davis County jail, where he is being held without bail.

Formal charges have not been filed.