Nine felony charges

Lodi man accused of abusing his daughter is arraigned; he could face sentence of life in prison if he's convicted

A Lodi man accused of severely injuring his 2-month-old daughter could face life in prison without parole if convicted of charges filed against him Thursday.

Justin Beebe

Justin Beebe, 20, was arraigned on nine felony charges that include torture, child abuse, domestic violence and two sex crimes charges.

Meanwhile, the baby was released from the hospital Thursday evening. When her mother arrived home with the infant, the apartment had been burglarized and all of her valuables were gone, Lodi police said Thursday night.

The burglary happened hours after Beebe's first court appearance since his Monday night arrest. The sex abuse allegations seemed to surprise him: He tried to talk as Judge David Warner read those charges, then lowered his head.

Police had not mentioned possible sex crimes after Beebe's arrest Monday night, the day his daughter was hospitalized. Deputy District Attorney Angela Hayes said Thursday that medical reports were not complete, but because the child had injuries to the groin area, there was enough probable cause to file the charges before a legal clock ran out.

Beebe told the judge that he hoped his parents would help him hire an attorney, but in the meantime Warner appointed the Public Defender's Office to handle the case. He then set bail at $800,000, plus $30,000 in three unrelated misdemeanor cases.

Beebe was arrested after the baby's mother arrived at Lodi Memorial Hospital with the infant, who had injuries to the head, face, chest, back, ankle and groin.

The mother told police that it was her first day back at work after maternity leave, and that Beebe had been home watching the baby. Beebe is also charged with domestic violence, because he allegedly beat the mother when she tried to take the infant to the hospital.

The mother also needed medical treatment, but was soon released from the hospital. The baby, however, was flown by medical helicopter to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where she was in critical condition until Tuesday.

The baby's condition improved to the point that she was released to her mother Thursday evening. She will return to the doctor for observations on her recovery, police said. An ophthalmologist is still determining if the girl suffered any permanent damages to her vision, Lodi Police Detective Steve Maynard said earlier Thursday.

Thursday's court appearance was brief, with Beebe wearing orange San Joaquin County jail clothing. As soon as Warner called the case and said he would read the charges, Beebe spoke.

"Can you call them allegations for now, sir, instead of charges?" Beebe asked.

Warner did not argue and merely said, "Sure, nothing's been proven."

Prosecutors filed a total of nine felony charges Thursday — torture, sex crimes with a child, lewd acts on a child, false imprisonment, making criminal threats, domestic violence, child endangerment and two counts of child abuse resulting in great bodily injury. A torture charge alone carries a penalty of up to life in state prison.

Beebe is also accused of violating his probation in two previous misdemeanor domestic violence cases. In one, he pleaded guilty in May 2007 to battering the baby's mother. In November, he pleaded no contest to violating a court order relating to the domestic violence case.

Beebe did not enter a plea during Thursday's proceeding, and he will return to court Tuesday. Deputy Public Defender Eric Taylor, who hadn't seen any paperwork on the case until the court appearance, said he did not know who from his office would handle the case.

As for the burglary at the apartment in the 1800 block of South Hutchins Street, police were investigating Thursday night. Police asked anyone with information to call them at 333-6727. Anonymous calls may be made to Lodi-Area Crime Stoppers at 333-6771.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.