Suspicions were aroused when a four month-old girl was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital on July 23rd for swelling and limited mobility in her left leg. Her mother brought her to the hospital after a caregiver noticed the injury. Doctors determined the child had a fractured femur as well as a rib fracture. The child’s father claimed the baby had rolled off a couch and onto the floor, and that it wasn’t the first time it had happened. Medical professionals did not believe the baby’s injuries were consistent with his story and made a report of possible child abuse.
Police interviewed the child’s father, Robert Scott Adley, 27, of Lebanon. Adley again said the child had rolled off the couch several days earlier. He said the baby wasn’t crying until he picked her up. Adley says he thought the child was teething. He admitted he should have had her checked out, but said, “they roll easily. I have a very busy life. I should have used better judgement.”
The baby was examined by the Child Protection Team at Penn State Children’s Hospital. They discovered the baby had suffered numerous serious injuries: fractures of the spine, ribs and lower extremities, internal bruising, a hemorrhage of the left eye, and others.
Lebanon County District Attorney David Arnold sent out a press release announcing charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child Adley. He is currently being held on $1,000,000 bail.