LAPLACE — A mother and 7-week-old infant required medical attention after a domestic dispute turned violent, leading to an attempted murder arrest for the father, police said.

“The baby was brought in for examination and was released to go home but started having complications,” St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “Further testing found evidence of head injuries. Once we got the information from the medical field and verification, that was it. They cut the warrant and we got (the suspect) arrested.”

Police identified the suspect as Ronald Lathers Jr., 29, of LaPlace, who was arrested Tuesday and booked with attempted first degree murder.

He is being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

Lathers was arrested five days after the alleged attack occurred.

Deputies originally responded to the 100 block of Montegut Avenue in LaPlace in reference to a couple arguing over child custody.

“Through investigation, deputies learned the male subject, identified as Lathers, wanted to take his 7-week-old child from the female,” Tregre said. “A verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation, and Lathers began hitting the female with a closed fist as she was holding the infant.”

During the fight, the victim said Lathers also hit the infant in the head, according to authorities.

Tregre stressed the mother is not a suspect in the child’s beating and was initially scared to speak out because of the violent nature of the altercation.

“She is not a suspect, she is a victim,” Tregre said. “I hope the courts have no mercy on (the suspect).”

EMS arriving on scene April 13 administered aid to the female and infant, taking both to a local hospital for treatment.

The female was treated and released, and police said the infant was released Thursday.