A Lonsdale man pleaded not guilty Monday in Garland County Circuit Court to a felony battery charge stemming from allegations he caused injuries to his 5-month-old son last year.
Clayton William Rynders, 22, who listed an Ault Loop address at the time of his arrest, pleaded not guilty to first-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A disposition hearing is now set for Dec. 10.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Nov. 13, 2017, Garland County sheriff's investigators received a report regarding a 5-month-old boy being admitted to National Park Medical Center and diagnosed with bleeding on the brain.
The child was airlifted to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock where he was diagnosed with bilateral retinal hemorrhages and a subdural hematoma. The affidavit notes the exam found the injuries were consistent with "nonaccidental head trauma." The incident allegedly occurred at Rynders' Ault Loop address.
Rynders reportedly told hospital staff the child was "playing in his bouncy chair and threw his head back, became limp, and vomited."
On Nov. 15, 2017, Rynders was interviewed at the Garland County Sheriff's Department after being read his Miranda rights and reportedly admitted to shaking his son when he cried "because it aggravates him and frustrates him." He allegedly stated the child had gone limp before, "but not as badly" as the incident on Nov. 13.
After further investigation, a warrant was issued for Rynders' arrest on Sept. 14. He was taken into custody on Sept. 24 and released later that same day on $20,000 bond. Rynders was appointed a public defender to represent him and appeared with Garland County Public Defender Tim Beckham at Monday's hearing.
Local on 10/17/2018