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Mother, Boyfriend In Custody After Baby Is Injured

GARY, Ind. (STMW) -- A 5-month-old baby is in critical condition and not expected to survive severe head trauma that police say was caused by abuse.

Siarra Morgan, 19, mother of Syrus Morgan, is in custody, as is her boyfriend, Melvin McNair, 27. Both were arrested at the Methodist Hospitals Northlake campus emergency room Tuesday night after police were notified of the baby's injuries.

Syrus, born May 5, was flown to University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago. Emergency room physicians in Gary told police the baby suffered multiple skull fractures, had blood on the brain and broken ribs.

A spokeswoman at Comer said she could not release information on the infant's condition.

Investigators said they conferred with medical personnel and the multiple injuries appear to be from physical abuse.

The baby's mother told police she went to the store about 5 p.m., and while she was out, McNair called her and said there was something wrong with Syrus. She returned home and saw the baby's lips were purple and he was not responding, so she called an ambulance.Medics took Syrus from the couple's home at 4701 E. 10th Ave., in Aetna, to the hospital, where medical personnel determined the fractures could be caused by an assault. Patrolman Emilio Guajardo gathered information for a police report.

Detectives Cpl. Edward Gonzalez, Cpl. James Nielsen and Daryl Gordon are investigating.

Police said Morgan has lived in the area for about one year.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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