Perrysburg, Ohio — A 31-year-old Indian-origin physician working at ProMedica Hospital has been arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses following the discovery of a 10-week-old infant with multiple fractures. Dr. Hanuman Gowda was taken into custody on January 9 after investigators found the infant had suffered breaks in both arms, both legs, and three ribs, with injuries appearing to be at different stages of healing.
The case has drawn significant attention within the Indian diaspora and broader medical community as it raises serious questions about child safety and accountability in healthcare settings.
Key Facts
• Dr. Hanuman Gowda, 31, was arrested on January 9 and charged with four counts of endangering children and two counts of felonious assault after a 10-week-old infant was brought to a Toledo-area hospital on January 4 with multiple fractures
• The infant was found to have breaks in both arms, both legs, and three ribs, with medical staff noting the injuries were in different stages of healing, suggesting they occurred at different times
• Gowda's bond has been set at $250,000, and he was booked into the Wood County Jail in Perrysburg; he worked as a resident physician at ProMedica Hospital in Monroe before being placed on administrative leave
The investigation began when the infant was transported to a Toledo-area hospital on January 4 after appearing to be in significant pain. Hospital staff conducted medical scans and discovered fractures across multiple bones in the young child's body.
The discovery of injuries at different stages of healing immediately raised red flags for medical professionals. This pattern suggested the fractures had not occurred all at once, prompting hospital staff to contact law enforcement authorities.
Police responded and questioned Gowda and another adult who had brought the infant to the hospital. Both reportedly told authorities they were unsure how the child sustained the injuries, according to official reports.
Following their investigation, authorities arrested Gowda and filed multiple felony charges related to endangering children and felonious assault. The case reflects growing concerns within Indian communities about accountability and proper investigation of serious allegations.
ProMedica Hospital confirmed that Gowda had been employed as a resident physician at their Monroe facility. The healthcare system placed him on immediate administrative leave pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Hospital officials stated that the charges are not related to his clinical duties but emphasized their unwavering commitment to patient safety. ProMedica indicated it would fully cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Gowda's bond was set at $250,000, and he was scheduled to return to court on January 15. The legal process continues with Gowda currently presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Do You Know?
Cases involving infants and young children typically move through the legal system more quickly than other cases because children cannot articulate what happened to them or take steps to protect themselves. This expedited approach helps ensure vulnerable populations receive faster protection under the law.
Key Terms
• Felony Charges: Serious criminal offenses in the United States that carry potential prison sentences of more than one year and are more severe than misdemeanors
• Endangering Children: A legal violation that occurs when an adult acts in a way that puts a child at serious risk of harm, whether through action or neglect
• Administrative Leave: When an employer temporarily removes an employee from their regular duties while an investigation or legal proceeding takes place, with status and pay typically maintained pending outcome
• Bond: Money paid to the court to secure a defendant's temporary release from custody while their case proceeds through the legal system
The arrest of Dr. Gowda represents a sobering reminder of the responsibility medical professionals hold and the critical importance of thorough investigation into allegations of child harm. Community members, particularly within the Indian-American diaspora, are watching this case closely as it progresses through the Ohio legal system.
Authorities continue their investigation, and further developments are expected as the case moves toward trial proceedings.
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