Louisiana nurse accused of fracturing infant child’s skull for crying

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On September 15, 2025, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call from a nurse at Morehouse General Hospital. The nurse informed authorities that they had a five-month-old patient with swelling and a parietal bone fracture on the left side of the skull.

According to court documents, deputies spoke to hospital staff upon arrival and were informed that the child was adopted and lived alone with the adopted father, Dustin Clark. During the investigation, deputies learned that on September 14, 2025, Clark allegedly slapped the child on the face while feeding them.

Authorities located Clark and interviewed him at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Investigations. During the interview, Clark allegedly mentioned that the child was sitting in a high chair and he was attempting to feed the baby. Clark advised that the child was fussy throughout the day and would not stop crying.

After Clark attempted several options to calm the child, he claimed that he “snapped” and slapped the child. After the incident, a friend came to retrieve the child to de-escalate the situation.

The friend then took the child to a doctor, who referred the baby to the hospital to be examined for more serious injuries. The victim was transported to Shreveport, La., by ambulance for critical care. Authorities learned that Clark is a Labor and Delivery nurse at a local hospital.

Clark was charged with domestic abuse battery and two counts of cruelty to juveniles.

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