Sunday, January 1, 2012

Dad charged in murder of 7-week-old son (Ebensburg, Pennsylvania)

Dad is identified as JUSTIN MICHAEL CHARLES SR. Daddy admits to violently shaking the baby AT LEAST 4 TIMES, and this baby was only 7 weeks old....Disgusting.

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/556742/Police--Dad-killed-son.html?nav=742

Police: Dad killed son
7-week-old baby allegedly shaken violently by father

December 31, 2011
By Zach Geiger, The Altoona Mirror

EBENSBURG - A Cambria County father is in jail after police claim he violently shook his 7-week-old son, causing the infant's death.

Police charged Justin Michael Charles Sr., 23, of South Fork with criminal homicide, third-degree murder, multiple counts of aggregated assault and other charges in connection with the death of his son. Police arrested Charles Sr. on Thursday after his son's funeral, Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan said.

Justin Michael Charles Jr., was taken Dec. 21 to Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, after an Adams Township ambulance call for a non-responsive baby with breathing difficulties. The baby was then airlifted to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and passed away two days later at 1:10 p.m. Dec. 23.

An autopsy showed severe brain injuries with no natural explanation, Callihan said. The autopsy also revealed multiple leg fractures and a subdural hematoma.

In a written affidavit, Charles Sr. told police he shook his son on at least four occasions. The last incident, which police said occurred on Dec. 21, resulted in the infant losing consciousness.

Charles Sr. faces five charges each of aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment and one felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child, according to court documents.

At least three of the aggravated assault charges are in relation to previous incidents of child endangerment, Callihan said.

Justin Jr.'s mother, who is in her 30s, was across the street at a neighbor's house during the Dec. 21 incident, District Attorney's Detective Kevin Price said. The mother is not a suspect and has cooperated with police, including during the initial ambulance call.

Justin Charles Sr. and the woman are not married, Price added.

A second child was placed in protective custody after the arrest, Price said.

Justin Charles Sr. is currently incarcerated in Cambria County Jail.