A 3-month-old baby in California was left with a severe brain injury and a “ruptured pupil” after his babysitter allegedly shook him, according to police and the child’s family.
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, deputies with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for medical aid involving an unresponsive infant, the agency said in a statement.
The baby, identified as Braxton Musselman, was taken to a local hospital and rushed into emergency surgery for severe head trauma. Medical professionals later determined the injuries were not consistent with a fall.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested Tonya Hamilton, 50, described as a “non-relative caregiver,” and booked her into the Madera County Jail on felony child-abuse-related charges, the sheriff’s office said.
In an interview with local KSEE/KGPE, the baby’s father, Chris Musselman, said Hamilton contacted him and the baby’s mother, Tori Nelson, via FaceTime to say something was wrong.
“We were initially told by her that she had fallen on him and woke up and he was unresponsive at that time,” Musselman said, according to the outlets.
The parents said they waited for hours while their son underwent surgery — then were stunned by what they were told afterward.
“He explained to us that his injuries weren’t consistent with a fall,” Musselman said, per the outlets. “And at that point, he had no other choice as a mandatory reporter to involve CPS and involve the authorities.”
Nelson said the injuries have left their baby in critical condition and the path ahead remains uncertain.
“He is missing the whole right side of his skull right now,” she said, according to KSEE/KGPE. “So the day that he comes home, we don’t know if he will come home with a skull or without a skull.”
In a GoFundMe campaign titled “Support Braxton’s Fight for Recovery,” the couple detailed what they said their son has endured since Jan. 13.
“On January 13, 2026, Braxton suffered a severe brain injury and a ruptured pupil,” they wrote. “The brain injury required two brain surgery’s (sic) with over 300mls of blood needing to be drained.”
They added that doctors removed the right half of his skull to relieve pressure from swelling, and said the baby spent a week in the ICU. The fundraiser states that his breathing tube has since been removed and he is no longer sedated.
The parents also wrote that Braxton has begun to regain minimal movement on the left side of his body, which they said had been affected by damage to the right side of his brain.
“The doctors have been honest with us: the road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly expensive,” the post reads. “Braxton faces potential lifelong challenges, including neurological issues, possible seizures, vision problems, physical therapy, multiple surgeries, specialized equipment, and ongoing medical care that our family simply cannot afford on our own. We are asking for your help to give this innocent little boy the very best chance possible.”
They added, “Braxton is a beautiful, sweet baby who deserves every opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive despite what has happened to him. Your support — whether it’s a donation, sharing this page, or just sending prayers — means more to us than words can express.”
In its statement, the sheriff’s office also issued a public safety reminder, warning that shaking a baby — even briefly — can cause permanent brain injury or death. The agency urged anyone feeling overwhelmed to place a baby in a safe location, step away, and ask for help, adding that suspected child abuse should be reported.
Hamilton has been released on bond and is scheduled to return to court on March 9. It is unclear whether she has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf.
