A young father is in jail accused of severly injuring his five-month-old baby boy. Eric Towns was arrested in Pueblo last night. The baby is in a Denver hospital, fighting for his life. Pueblo Police are still investigating the case, but they say the father admits he hurt his child.

At a hearing Friday afternoon, the judge read the charge against 18-year-old Eric Lamar Towns. Police say Thursday night Towns was arguing with the child’s mother at their apartment complex. She left for a short time and that’s when the baby was injured. Sgt. Troy Davenport with the Pueblo Police says “the father out of frustration picked up the baby and admitted later on he shook the baby three or four times.”

According to the arrest affadavit, Towns also told police quote, “I was to the point of snapping. I should have let him cry and let my anger and frustration calm down. The injuries to my son were my fault. I take full responsibility.”

When the baby’s mother returned home last night, she found the child gasping for breath. The child was rushed to Parkview Hospital but is now at a Denver area hospital.

In addition to the child abuse charge, the judge also imposed a restraining order against Towns. He’s not allowed to have any contact with the baby or his mother. Bond has been set a $10,000. If the child dies, the charges against the father could be upgraded.