Dad arrested for assault of 5-month-old son; baby on life support (Washington County, Pennsylvania)

Odd story. Seems dad KEITH ANTHONY LONG was babysitting while Mom was working. When she got home, she found that their 5-month-old son was bleeding and unresponsive. He is hospitalized on life support. And it seems that baby's 5-year-old sister was abused. Meanwhile, Daddy apparently skedaddled, as he was later picked up across the state line in New York. Nothing like facing up to your own actions, huh?

http://kdka.com/local/Keith.Anthony.Long.2.1931906.html

Sep 26, 2010 6:52 am US/Eastern
Father Faces Charges In Assault Of Young Boy
SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP (KDKA)

A Washington County man has been tracked down, arrested and charged after his 5-month-old son was found bleeding and unresponsive earlier this month.

Keith Anthony Long, 25, of South Strabane Township, is facing charges of endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault and simple assault.

According to investigators, Long called the child's mother to report the injuries on Sept. 16. Officials say the woman reportedly found her son bleeding when she arrived home and took him to Washington Hospital.

The baby ended up at Children's Hospital last week and is reportedly on life support. Investigators determined that injuries sustained by the boy were the result of physical abuse.

"We unfortunately see the worst side of humanity on a daily basis in our line of work, but I can tell you as a father, it's very difficult when you see cases such as this," said Steven Toprani, the Washington County District Attorney.

According to the Observer-Reporter, Long was found in Olean, N.Y., where his former girlfriend lives. He was returned to Pennsylvania on Friday.

"Last week, when we got the initial report from Washington Hospital and later from Children's Hospital, we were aware that there was certainly a scenario where there was suspected child abuse," said Toprani. "During the course of a week-long investigation, South Strabane police were able to substantiate some of those claims."

Toprani says investigators are still trying to pinpoint the precise motive.

"That's still under investigation. We're working on a timeline," he said. "We understand there's probably a two-hour window when these injuries, at least for the 5-month-old boy, would have occurred."

South Strabane Township police say that Long is facing charges, not only for the alleged assault of his infant son, but also for allegedly assaulting the boy's sister.

"The police learned that there were also potential signs of abuse with his 5-year-old sister," said Toprani. "I had the opportunity to meet the young girl last week. She's a beautiful young girl, but she'll obviously be dealing with some issues now."

Meanwhile, in South Strabane Township, photos of the baby have been posted on a garage door at the family's home on Country Club Road. Candles, flowers and a teddy bear with a baby's blanket make up a small, makeshift memorial nearby.

Heartfelt pleas of "Please pray 4 my baby" and "Kobe, we love you baby!" have been posted there, too.

Long remains locked up in the Washington County Jail on $110,000 bond and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for next month.