Baby fighting for life after Charlotte County couple was arrested for child neglect
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
CCSO
A man and woman were arrested after an infant in their care had to have emergency surgery to repair damage to its skull and bleeding in the brain.
On March 24, 2025, Charlotte County detectives were called to respond to Golisano’s Children’s Hospital in Fort Myers in reference to an infant with life-threatening injuries. The injuries included multiple skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, a stroke, and more. Staff advised that the infant was in “extremely critical condition” and was in emergency surgery when detectives arrived.
Shona M. Hochsprung (01/18/2003) and Alexander M. Ransom (11/13/2000), who brought the infant into the hospital, were interviewed separately about what had happened. During questioning, both had different explanations about how the infant sustained the injuries and their stories were inconsistent. One explanation provided by Hochsprung was that she had rolled over onto the baby while asleep, but had immediately woken up and rolled off once the child cried. Hospital staff advised that was not a viable explanation for the injuries.
Detectives were able to determine that both Hochsprung and Ransom agreed that they were the only two people with the child at the time of the injury and that it occurred at their home in Port Charlotte on Sunday, March 23. Through investigation, detectives also found that Ransom had conducted internet searches for “dent in baby forehead” and “do babies snore?” at around 5pm on Sunday. This indicated that Ransom was aware of the injuries and still did not seek medical attention for the child until the following day.
“As a father, I know there is nothing so precious as the life of a child. I ask you to join me in prayer, as this infant fights for survival, that God grants a better life going forward. The individuals who were supposed to be caring for this child have many questions still to answer, and they will be held accountable. In the meantime, my heart is with that child and all who are impacted.”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
Based on the totality of the investigation, both Hochsprung and Ransom were placed under arrest on charges of Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm. They are being held without bond.
The child underwent successful surgery; however, the infant is facing a lengthy recovery and is expected to have significant medical issues for the duration of its life.