Deer River Man Pleads Not Guilty in Baby Son’s Death

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) - A northern Minnesota man has pleaded not guilty to the child abuse death of his infant son.

Thirty-eight-year-old Emery Jenkins of Deer River entered his plea to a single count of second-degree murder in Itasca County court Monday. His trial was set for March.

Jenkins is accused of committing multiple acts of child abuse on the baby, who died in October.

The medical examiner said the baby had a skull fracture and multiple rib fractures as well as abrasions that may have been caused by biting or cutting.

According to the complaint, the boy's mother told investigators that Jenkins would bite the child because he was crying.

Prosecutors told the court they plan to convene a grand jury in the case.