A Dauphin County man faces charges of severely injuring his two month old son. 25 year old Charles McConnell, of Londonderry Township was arrested on charges of Aggravated Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The staff at Hershey Medical Center alerted state police that the infant was treated in the emergency room for injuries from possible shaken baby syndrome.
A coordinated joint investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police, members of the District Attorney’s Office and caseworkers from Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth. During the course of the investigation, McConnell provided the state troopers and caseworkers with various explanations for his son’s injuries which are inconsistent with the severity of the injuries his son suffered.
The baby’s injuries consisted of three rib fractures, a fractured right arm, subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain), injuries to the ligaments of his neck, blood at the base of his lower spine and a bruise on his lower back. Doctors at Hershey Medical Center indicated to investigators that the injuries are consistent with multiple episodes of abuse.