Lake Havasu man pleads not guilty to child abuse charges

KINGMAN — A Lake Havasu City man accused of shaking his infant son — allegedly breaking several of the baby’s bones — has pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges.

Richard F. Bartlett, 19, was arraigned Monday in Mohave County Superior Court. He has been indicted on a felony count of child abuse and a felony charge of aggravated assault. Each charge carries a sentence of 10 to 24 years in prison.

Bartlett only spoke to confirm his name and mailing address during the brief hearing. A public defender entered the not guilty plea. Bartlett’s hands were cuffed to his waist, his ankles were shackled, and he wore orange jail scrubs.

He is accused of angrily shaking and squeezing his 7-week-old son, David, after the child would not stop crying. Police have said the baby’s femur, rib and collarbone were broken.

The injuries were discovered March 17 at about 7 a.m. when David was taken to Havasu Regional Medical Center.

Police have said Bartlett shook the infant at about 2 a.m. that morning at a duplex in the 3400 block of Tomahawk Drive. The baby’s mother was apparently asleep when Bartlett allegedly shook the child.

He is due in court April 28. His bond has been set at $250,000.

You may contact the reporter at raap@havasunews.com.