Police: 3-week-old infant injured by father; dad blames "low blood sugar" for baby's broken bones (York County, Pennsylvania)

Dad BRANDON SCOTT KRICHTEN has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and reckless endangerment for injuries sustained by his newborn, 3-week-old son. This poor baby had fractures both above and below the knees in both legs, and a broken collarbone. And get this idiot dad's excuse. I thought I'd heard everything, but he's blaming the baby's "low blood sugar"? Are you kidding me?

http://www.ydr.com/crime/ci_14977815

Police: 3-week-old's injuries caused by father
Infant had two fractured legs and a broken collarbone.
By RICK LEE
Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 04/28/2010 11:27:51 PM EDT

A York County judge has granted a defense request to retain a forensic pathologist to review the medical files of a 3-week-old boy who authorities say was injured by his father.

Brandon Scott Krichten was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment after doctors examined Jordan Krichten and suspected child abuse was the cause of his injuries, according to court records.

At Hershey Medical Center, where the infant was transferred from York Hospital on March 28, 2009, doctors determined the boy had fractures above and below both knees and also had a broken collarbone.

According to Newberry Township Police reports, a professor of pediatrics examined Jordan's x-rays and determined "the injuries are the result of abuse." Doctors at Springdale Medical Center, where Jordan was first taken, and those at Hershey all suspected child abuse, according to police.
Krichten, 28, of Dover, told investigators that Jordan's bruises were the result of low blood sugar and not abuse. Jordan's mother, Kara Penn, told police Jordan had no known medical conditions and "has been a good baby without any difficulties."

Penn told police she left Jordan in Krichten's care March 27, 2009, when she, her daughter and her mother went out to eat.

She said that, when she returned, Jordan was crying uncontrollably. She said she was able to calm him down. When she later tried to give him formula, he threw up and there was blood and/or blood clots in the vomit, according to court documents.

On Tuesday in Common Pleas Court, Judge Gregory M. Snyder authorized up to $2,500 for a medical expert to review Jordan's hospital records for the defense.

Krichten's attorney, first assistant public defender Clasina Mahoney, said she had received the medical report on Jordan and wanted it reviewed by another medical expert "to make sure those conclusions are sound medical science."

Mahoney said it was her understanding Jordan's broken bones were not serious compound fractures but incomplete greenstick fractures common in children.

She said there is a possibility the injuries might have resulted from "rough handling" rather than intentional child abuse.

"There's also an indication the baby has some other medical issues, a potential genetical disorder," Mahoney said.

Krichten, who remains free on $25,000 bail, is tentatively scheduled for trial in June. His bail conditions call for no unsupervised or one-on-one contact with Jordan.

Jordan remains in his mother's custody, according to senior deputy prosecutor Jennifer Russell.