Dad charged with assaulting 11-week-old daughter (Upper Pittsgrove, New Jersey)

Dad is identified as THOMAS LILLIBRIDGE.

http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2012/03/father_charged_with_assault_on.html

Father charged with assault on 11-week-old daughter in alleged shaken-baby case in Upper Pittsgrove
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 8:28 PM
Updated: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 8:37 PM
By Phil Dunn / Today's Sunbeam Today's Sunbeam

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. — An township man was arrested here Wednesday morning for allegedly injuring his 11-week-year-old baby daughter in early March, according to state police.

Thomas Lillibridge, 19, of the Canook Trailer Park on U.S. Route 40 here, was charged with third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, authorities said.

According to police, the baby girl is alleged to have been injured in an incident that took place on or near March 6.

State police said they became aware of the case after Lillibridge, the baby’s father, called 911 due to an emergency involving the infant and the baby was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The baby was first taken to South Jersey Healthcare-Elmer Hospital, but was later transferred to South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center in Vineland.

She was then later taken to Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., for further treatment, police said.

The hospital staff, according to police, reported the child suffered from retinal hemorrhaging. The injuries were indicative of non-incidental trauma from shaken baby syndrome, police said.

“Detectives from the state police gathered evidence in this case and conducted interviews with hospital staff and doctors,” said State Police Sgt. Brian Polite. “From that they were able to gather enough evidence to make an arrest of the father of the infant.”

Lillibridge was arrested at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning at his home in the Canook Trailer Park here in Upper Pittsgrove.

He was lodged in Salem County Correctional Facility, Mannington Township, in default of $50,000 bail.

State police said the baby is out of the hospital. She is recovering with her mother and is doing better, according to police.

State police said Lillibridge is the only suspect being considered in this case.