NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) – A 10-month-old Newton County baby is now out of the hospital after fighting for his life following an incident where investigators say his mother’s boyfriend admitted to bear hugging him.

Baby Waylon aged 10 months he just got home from the hospital last Thursday, but family members say his injuries will have a lasting effect on his life.

“He was basically reset to a newborn,” said Tyler Burbridge, Waylon’s father.

The child spent about a month and a half in critical condition at a Kansas City hospital.

In September, investigators say 10-month-old Waylon was placed in a baby jumper by his mother, who stepped away to go to the bathroom. Her boyfriend at the time, Jordan Boggess, is said to have picked Waylon up and thrown him into the air, but missed on the second throw.

“It basically took my son’s life. He took away my son’s future. You don’t blow up a kid,” Waylon’s father said.

Boggess admitted to deputies that she hugged Waylon tightly until he stopped crying. Investigators accuse Boggess of child abuse. However, those moments are what family members say changed Waylon’s life forever.

His father says: “At the moment, as far as we know, he cannot see. He can’t stand up. He can barely hold his head up. He’s going to have to do a lot of physical therapy.”

A statement from Waylon’s mother says:

Family members are with Waylon, united in raising awareness about child abuse.

“My son, he can’t even speak for himself. Not only me, but also my family and all those who fight for him, we are his voice.”

Boggess is due in court on Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at the Newton County, Mo. Courthouse.

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