A Sulphur man has been charged with cruelty after a 4-month-old baby was hospitalized early Thursday morning for “non-accidental traumatic head injuries.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said deputies received a call from a local hospital at about 4 a.m. Thursday regarding the suspected abuse of an infant.

Vincent said the infant had been in the care of Jordan S. Tupper, 23, when the injuries occurred.

“When detectives spoke with Tupper, he gave numerous conflicting stories on how the injuries may have ‘accidentally’ occurred; none of which were consistent with the extent of injuries the baby sustained,” Vincent said.

Tupper was arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.  Judge David Ritchie set his bond at $950,000.

Due to the severity of his injuries, the child was taken to a hospital out of town for emergency surgery.

The child remains in ICU in critical condition, Vincent said, and has been placed in state custody by the Department of Children & Family Services.