Woman Accused of Injuring Baby to Undergo Fitness Exam

A Vandalia woman accused of injuring her infant son will undergo an exam to assess her fitness to stand trial for the offense.

23-year-old Aubree Hammer is charged with aggravated battery to a child under age 13 with great bodily harm or permanent disability. Hammer is accused of injuring her 3-1/2-month-old son by holding him head-high and throwing him to a wooden floor, causing brain damage.

During a Thursday court hearing, Judge Don Sheafor found that there is "bona fide doubt as to the defendant's fitness". The judge ordered a fitness evaluation and also scheduled a status on Hammer's fitness for May 5.

Vandalia police began investigating the incident on February 18. Bond for Hammer has been set at one million dollars.

The infant was first taken to Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia and then was transferred to a St. Louis hospital for further treatment.