ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 1996 TAG: 9602130115
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
An investigation of possible child abuse after the death of a 5-month-old Franklin County boy Sunday resulted in the arrest of the baby's father on a fugitive warrant from Florida.
Sheriff W.Q. ``Quint'' Overton said Jerry Griffis, 26, is being held in Roanoke City Jail after a criminal background check turned up the Florida warrant. Overton would not say for what charges the Florida warrant was issued.
The baby was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital's emergency room early Sunday morning and later flown to Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley in Roanoke. By Sunday afternoon, Overton said, the family decided to take the child off life support because of the extent of the injuries.
Hospital workers asked the Sheriff's Office to investigate because the child's injuries appeared suspicious.
Griffis was arrested at Community Hospital.
``We suspect foul play,'' Overton said.
Overton said he is waiting for the results of an autopsy today before naming any suspects.
Griffis was last living in Florida in 1990 and has lived in Virginia the last three years, according to Overton.
Investigator Bonnie Beatty said Griffis and his family now live in the Henry area of Franklin County.
``Nobody knows at this point what caused the infant's death,'' Beatty said.
The boy's name and his mother's name are not being released by the Sheriff's Office at this time.
Griffis' bond was set at $30,000; his court date for the fugitive warrant is March 11.
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB