Young Dad Brutally Attacks Girlfriend and Newborn Baby Over ‘Lost’ Vape

A 20-year-old father in Ohio is behind bars after police say he strangled his girlfriend and beat their newborn baby so badly the infant suffered brain damage—all because he couldn’t find his vape.

Hunter P. Dalton was arrested last week and charged with felonious assault, domestic violence by assault, and assault, according to records reviewed by Law&Crime.

Whitehall Police said they were called around 12:30 p.m. Friday to an apartment complex on East Main Street, about 150 miles southwest of Cleveland, after the baby’s mother called 911 while hiding in the leasing office with her dog. She told dispatchers Dalton had just threatened to kill her and their 1-month-old son.

Officers arrived to find the mother still hiding and Dalton outside the apartment. After taking him into custody, police discovered the baby in his crib struggling to breathe.

Paramedics rushed the infant to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where doctors said the child had bleeding in the brain and brain damage. Despite the injuries, the newborn is expected to survive.

The mother told police Dalton had strangled her the day before, and that on the morning of the attack he flew into a rage when he couldn’t find his vape device. She said he became even more enraged when she refused to help because she was tending to their baby—and after he saw that their dog had chewed up tissues.

Dalton allegedly threw his girlfriend to the ground, kicked the dog, hurled a fan across the room, and threatened to kill both her and the baby.

In his interview with investigators, Dalton denied hurting the child, claiming he had only moved the baby from a bouncy seat to the crib.

Whitehall Chief Deputy of Police Shawn Wilson released a statement saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the young child who was the victim of this horrific act. We remain hopeful for his full recovery and ask the community to join us in supporting him and his family during this difficult time.”

Dalton is being held in the Franklin County Correction Center on a $1 million bond. If released, he is barred from contacting the victims or possessing weapons. He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Sept. 29.