Parents jailed on aggravated assault charges; 2-month-old son in critical condition

A Billings couple suspected of assaulting their 2-month-old son on Christmas prosecutors say he was choked and suffered a brain injury are being held in the Yellowstone County jail.

Kayla Jean Edwards, 23, called 911 on Wednesday night and reported that her 2-month-old son had stopped breathing, a court document filed on Friday says.

Medical personnel responded to a residence on the 200 block of Terry Avenue at about 8 p.m. and took the child to St. Vincent Healthcare for treatment, police said in a press release.

The medical responders observed suspicious injuries on the infant and notified law enforcement, police said.

The investigation revealed that the defendant struck her son in the head so hard that she caused a brain injury, an affidavit of probable cause states. The defendant then strangled her son to prevent him from breathing.

The infant was in critical condition, Billings Police Lt. Jeremy House said on Friday afternoon.

The childs other parent, 28-year-old Brandon Tory Edwards, admitted to watching and allowing the assault, as well as choking his newborn son on another occasion, records say.

An Oct. 15 birth announcement in The Gazette lists the couple as having twins a boy and a girl.

Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Chris Morris said that the Edwards may make an initial court appearance on Monday.

During their initial appearances, their bonds will be set by a Justice of the Peace and they will be scheduled for arraignment in Yellowstone County District Court.

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Parents jailed on aggravated assault charges; 2-month-old son in critical condition