Illinois man accused of breaking infant son's legs

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A southwestern Illinois man is jailed on a felony count alleging he broke the legs of his infant son.

Madison County prosecutors have charged 24-year-old Matthew Barnett of Granite City with one count of aggravated battery of a child.

Sheriff's Capt. T. Mike Dixon says that the investigation began when authorities were notified by Illinois state child-welfare workers. They said a 6-month-old child was being treated a hospital for non-accidental trauma.

Dixon says the boy had multiple leg fractures that investigators believe happened when Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the boy was crying.

The boy is now in protective state custody. Barnett was jailed Tuesday on $100,000 bond.

He does not have a listed home telephone number. Online court records don't show whether he has an attorney.