Harrisburg baby injured, father jailed

HARRISBURG - Police have arrested a Harrisburg man on charges he critically injured his 3-month-old son, who is fighting for his life in a St. Louis hospital.

Brandon Ford, 32, was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery of a child. He is accused of shaking his son, Bryson, causing severe neurological damage to the baby.

On Tuesday, June 25, Bryson was taken to the emergency room at Harrisburg Medical Center by his mother, Kendrea Gunning, and Ford after Bryson started having numerous seizures, authorities said.

According to Bryson's grandparents, Jeff and Linda Gunning, Ford told medical workers Bryson had rolled off the couch.

The Gunnings said they were skeptical because Bryson, who was born in March, wasn't rolling over on his own yet.

After Bryson was taken by air ambulance to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis and doctors determined Bryson's injuries were caused by being shaken, Harrisburg Police Department arrested Ford. He remains in the Saline County Detention Center on a $15,000 cash bond.

Meanwhile, the family is selling T-shirts with the slogan "#BrysonStrong" online at https://www.facebook.com, and they say they are using the funds raised to defray the family's expenses.