Father Claims Horse Hurt Child, Police Disagree

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma City father claimed a horse kicked his little boy, causing serious injuries, but Oklahoma City Police said the father is lying and blame him for the child's numerous bruises.

The father, 21-year-old Wilbert Bradford, was arrested for child neglect and was taken to the Oklahoma County Jail.

The father has since been released from jail, but the child is still recovering.

Bradford called 911 from his NE Oklahoma City home last week, claiming his child was kicked by a horse.

"My little son was back there when I was back there feeding and watering my horses," Bradford said. "My horse, I don't know, flipped a strip."

According to the 911 call, Bradford said by the time he grabbed his 2-year-old son, the horse had stepped on him three or four times.

"He got like a horse hoof around his head," Bradford said. "He's got knots all on his head, back."

Police said the horse had nothing to do with the injuries and Bradford is responsible for the bruises and knots.

But police say the horse is innocent... and had nothing to do with the child's injuries. Instead, they say, Bradford is the one who caused the bruises.

"The child had very extensive injuries, extensive bruising all over his body," Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow said.

The police report said the boy suffered bruising on his head, face, neck, back, chest, arms, legs and buttocks.

He was taken to the Children's Hospital where he remains under medical supervision.

"It's been kind of messed up for me, messing with my mind," said family friend Undray Goosby said. "Just thinking he would do something like that to that little boy."

Goosby said Bradford and his family were staying at his home until an apartment in Midwest City was ready. He hasn't talked to Bradford since his arrest, but has been in contact with the toddler's mother.

"She was telling me they said there ain't no way the horse could have did that," Goosby said. "He had whelps from his bottom all the way up."

The 2-year-old boy remains in stable condition. He and his sister are both in protective custody.