BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State police say a man and woman in Bedford County are both facing child abuse-related charges after a 1-year-old was treated for facial and abdominal injuries earlier this year.
Investigators say on March 9th, troopers were contacted by staff at UPMC Altoona after a female toddler was brought to the emergency room and treated for "bruising and petechiae" to her face and abdomen.
Police say hospital staff also discovered scratches to the child's face and body and expressed concerns that the toddler was being abused.
According to the affidavit, the child's mother, identified as 22-year-old Jamie Williams, of Six Mile Run, reportedly provided "little information" about how the child sustained the injuries.
Police say the child was then transported to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh for further evaluation.
Troopers say Williams initially told doctors that she believed the child had suffered some sort of "allergic reaction" but was unsure of what happened.
Upon further investigation, police learned that Williams had picked the child up from a babysitter and then stayed at the home of a friend, who was later identified as 45-year-old Lee Ott, of Woodbury.
Investigators say Williams reportedly blamed Ott for the injuries, admitting that he held the child while she unloaded her car and stated that he was the only other person who was ever alone with the victim.
Police say Ott later confirmed that Williams and the child stayed at his residence, and that they were the only ones there on the night in question.
However, investigators say Ott also stated that he was unsure how the child suffered her injuries.
Upon further evaluation, police say doctors at the Children's Hospital concluded that the toddler's injuries were "consistent with physical abuse."
Police say doctors noted extensive bruising and scratches to the child's face, eyes, forehead and nose.
Authorities say doctors also noted that the number of injuries would have been the result of "multiple impacts."
Investigators say neither Williams nor Ott took any accountability or provided any explanation for the child's injuries.
According to online court records, they were both arraigned last week on charges of child endangerment and aggravated assault.
Both Williams and Ott are being held at the Bedford County Jail on $75,000 bail each.
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