BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Laporte man faces two felony charges after his 3-month-old son suffered serious injuries involving bleeding around the brain.
Andrew Michael Gustafson, 32, of Laporte, is charged with felony child endangerment and malicious punishment of a child.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, medical professionals raised serious concerns about possible abusive head trauma.
Infant Hospitalized With Serious Brain Injuries
The investigation began January 29, 2026, when the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible assault involving an infant.
The complaint states that the child had been evaluated at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis on January 26.
Medical imaging revealed large collections of blood-containing fluid beneath the membranes surrounding both sides of the baby’s brain.
Doctors described the findings as highly concerning for abusive head trauma.
According to the medical records, the parents reported no accidental injury that could explain the condition.
Medical Records Raise Concerns About Shaking
The complaint states that doctors examined several possible explanations for the infant’s injuries.
Blood tests did not indicate an underlying bleeding disorder. A skeletal examination revealed no fractures.
Doctors also found no visible injuries to the child’s skin.
However, medical professionals stated that the absence of those injuries did not eliminate concerns about physical abuse.
The medical report explained that violent shaking can produce the type of forces associated with certain infant head injuries.
Doctors could not determine the precise date of the bleeding or whether it resulted from one or multiple events.
Infant’s Head Growth Raises Additional Questions
According to court documents, the baby’s head circumference was within the normal range around January 6.
By January 26, the measurement had increased above the 99th percentile.
Medical professionals suggested the original injury may have occurred around January 6.
However, they emphasized that the available imaging could not establish the exact timing of the injury.
Mother Describes Concerns About Father’s Behavior
Investigators interviewed the child’s mother as part of the investigation.
She told authorities that she and Gustafson were the only two people who had access to the infant in circumstances involving possible abuse.
According to the complaint, the mother reported previously hearing Gustafson yell at the baby.
She also described seeing Gustafson hold the infant while bouncing him aggressively and rapidly.
The mother said she warned Gustafson to stop because she feared the movement could injure the child.
She reported that Gustafson responded by saying the rapid bouncing was the only way to calm the baby.
The mother told investigators she did not believe the infant would be safe in Gustafson’s sole care.
Her statements were included in the probable cause allegations supporting the charges.
Two Felony Charges Filed
Prosecutors charged Gustafson with felony child endangerment under Minnesota Statute 609.378.
The charge alleges that Gustafson intentionally or recklessly endangered the child’s health, resulting in substantial harm.
He also faces felony malicious punishment of a child under Minnesota Statute 609.377.
That charge alleges excessive force involving an infant and bodily harm to the head.
Each felony carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Beltrami County Court Case
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-2645.
The criminal complaint lists a summons for Gustafson.
The precise date and cause of the child’s injuries remain disputed matters for the legal proceedings.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Gustafson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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