Cedar Rapids mom says her baby experienced ‘atrocities, unspeakable’ abuse by father

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids mother said Tuesday that describing what her son endured during his first seven weeks of life can’t be depicted as just multiple injuries — he suffered “atrocities and unspeakable” abuse at the hands of his father.

Maddy Duffy, in a victim impact statement, listed numerous graphic injuries her son suffered, including 29 fractures in various stages of healing, with 16 being broken ribs and the rest in the infant’s legs and ankles that were “yanked and squeezed.”

“You broke that many with your bare hands,” she told Noah Debettignies, her son’s father, who was being sentenced for child endangerment convictions.

Duffy said it was nothing short of a “miracle” her son lived. That word — miracle — has become almost like her child’s second name, she said, because of how often it has been used. She said she is thankful her miracle turned 2 in January.

She told Debettignies she wouldn’t soften or downplay what he did. Debettignies had two faces, she said: It wasn’t just the violence that made him “incredibly dangerous,” but also his ability to contain it with “calmness, manipulation and a sheer lack of remorse.”

“You gave yourself power that wasn’t yours, but it ends here,” Duffy said. “The beginning of (her son’s) life was nothing short of monstrous, and it will not die in silence.”

The heartbroken mother expressed thankfulness for the friends and family who have been her lifeline throughout this “nightmare.” Over 50 of those attended the hearing in support of her and the child.

Throughout her statement, several in the courtroom teared up and becoming emotional listening to what she and her baby endured.

Debettignies, 24, also had some family members in attendance.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Mark Fisher sentenced Debettignies to up to 35 years in prison for convictions of two charges of child endangerment causing serious injury; and one charge each of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person; child endangerment — substantial risk — bodily injury; and child endangerment — torture or cruelty — bodily injury. All are felonies.

In a January plea hearing, Debettignies admitted to each charge.

During his sentencing, Debettignies said he took “full responsibly” for his actions. He said the plea agreement was “more than fair” and he was “looking forward to rehabilitation for himself,” even though he knew it would be “harder” in prison.

Judge Fisher also extended a no-contact order to protect the child and also one for Duffy, which she requested. Debettignies, whose parental rights have been terminated, consented.

Duffy, also in her lengthy statement, said her son loves to climb, play outside and learn new words. His smile and laugh “radiate light,” she said, but he also has physical struggles. He has issues swallowing liquids, which doctors believe is a “developed neurological response” to the abuse. His torso, hips and legs lack strength and he is in physical therapy and wears a full body vest to improve strength and coordination.

Her son’s future is uncertain because the abuse occurred during a critical period of development. The past can’t be “packed away in boxes,” Duffy said, and someday her son may ask about his father and if his father loved him. She will remember the broken bones and absence of remorse instead of being able to readily say “yes.”

According to a criminal complaint, the severe child abuse injuries were discovered March 4, 2023, when Debettignies and Duffy took the 7-week-old baby to the hospital for treatment of a “swollen left leg and fussiness.” Doctors found the infant had a broken left leg and he was taken to University of Iowa Health Care, where he was evaluated. Doctors found healing fractures of several ribs.

The infant also had fractures to both of his tibia bones in his legs, which doctors found “highly suspicious” based on his age and circumstances reported to medical personnel, the complaint stated.

The baby also had a subconjunctival hemorrhage — a broken blood vessel — to his left eye.

During interviews with police, Debettignies admitted to abusing the infant. He was “frustrated and wanted (the infant) to stop crying,” according to the complaint. He also admitted to having “feelings of wanting to harm” the infant.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com