Pennsylvania Father Accused of Breaking 5-Month-Old Baby’s Leg After Becoming Frustrated During Diaper Change

A Pennsylvania father is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly using so much force while changing his 5-month-old baby’s diaper that he heard the child’s leg make a popping sound. Brian Scott Eshleman Jr., 28, is accused of causing a fracture to his infant’s right femur after becoming frustrated because the baby kept moving during the diaper change. According to Manheim Township police, the incident happened at the family’s home on Knollwood Drive in Manheim Township, Lancaster County. The child’s injuries were later discovered by medical professionals, prompting a child abuse investigation.

The investigation began after the infant was taken to the hospital and doctors diagnosed a broken right femur, the large bone in the thigh. Because the baby had very limited mobility, medical staff determined that the injury could not have been caused by the child himself. Hospital personnel also reportedly found no medical condition or other explanation that would account for the fracture. The infant was transferred to a specialized hospital for further treatment, where members of the child protection team examined him and contacted police.

Detectives later interviewed Eshleman about what had happened. According to investigators, he admitted that he had used more force than usual while changing his son’s diaper. He allegedly told police that the baby kept moving his legs and feet, making it difficult to complete the task. During the diaper change, Eshleman said he heard an audible “pop” coming from the infant’s leg. Police also spoke with a witness who said Eshleman had called and reported that the baby was crying hysterically and would not stop, behavior he described as unusual for the child.

Medical professionals determined that the broken femur had caused substantial pain and physical impairment. Investigators said the infant’s limited ability to move made it unlikely that he could have sustained the injury on his own. The hospital’s child protection team ultimately raised concerns about possible physical abuse, leading authorities to pursue criminal charges. Police have not publicly reported further details about the baby’s long-term recovery.

Eshleman was arrested on October 19, 2026, and charged with aggravated assault of a child younger than 6 by an offender older than 18, along with two counts of endangering the welfare of children. He was taken to the Lancaster County Jail but later posted $150,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 25, 2026. The charges remain allegations, and Eshleman has not been convicted. The case will now proceed through the Pennsylvania court system as authorities examine the circumstances that left a 5-month-old child with a serious broken leg.

Source: Law&Crime