DELAND, Florida — Volusia County Sheriff’s investigators on Thursday obtained an arrest warrant for a 21-year-old man accused of physically abusing a toddler so severely that the child is in the hospital fighting for its life. Investigators aren’t sure exactly what Brian Bouchard did to inflict such critical head trauma to the 14-month-old boy. But they say they’re certain the injuries couldn’t have occurred from an accidental fall or by dropping the child, as Bouchard claims.
After an obtaining a warrant for aggravated child abuse, Sheriff’s investigators have been searching for Bouchard all afternoon but so far have been unable to locate him. They’re appealing for the public’s help to keep an eye out for the suspect and call authorities if they see him or know where he is.
The Sheriff’s Office launched the investigation after being called to a home on North Parkway Street near DeLand early Saturday night. When deputies arrived, they were told that the child had fallen and hit his head on the ground. Deputies noted severe head trauma along with swelling and bruising to the face of the child, who was initially flown by Sheriff’s Office helicopter to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach and then later transferred to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. Bouchard lives with the child’s mother and was caring for the boy at the time of the injury. The mother was at work at the time.
Bouchard is 5’7”, and weighs about 155 pounds. His last known location was on South Ridgewood Avenue in Edgewater, Florida. Investigators have reason to believe he may be in that area, getting around on a bicycle. Anyone who spots Bouchard or knows his location is asked to call 911 immediately.
Anyone who has information, but prefers to remain anonymous, can call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. UPDATE:
