On Monday, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged George Vincent Wells, 25, with assault of a child in the first degree for violently shaking his 2-month-old son. Wells was arraigned and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

“This is horrible and inexplicable abuse,” Lindquist said. “The defendant will be held fully accountable. If the baby dies, we will charge murder.”

On Feb. 6, Wells’ girlfriend left their infant son alone with Wells while she went to the grocery store. A short time later, Wells called her and said the baby wasn’t breathing. The mother told Wells to call 911.

When paramedics arrived, the baby appeared lifeless and grey, had a faint pulse, and was not breathing. At the hospital, doctors determined the baby had severe brain injuries with no real sign of brain activity.

Wells told detectives that he accidentally dropped the baby while tossing him in the air. Doctors said the injuries were non-accidental and consistent with being shaken.

The victim’s mother told an officer, “I knew I never should have left him alone.”

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.