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Uniontown man, girlfriend charged with abusing 11-month-old son
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A Uniontown couple faces charges of endangering the welfare of children after their 11-month-old son was found to have a fractured skull, cracked ribs and bruises.
The boy's mother, Lisa Hairston, 23, was arrested Thursday. Her 25-year-old boyfriend, Sheldon Marks, was charged Thursday and arraigned Monday. Mr. Marks is also charged with aggravated assault.
Ms. Hairston took the boy to a hospital May 23 from their Dunlop Street home for what she said was a rash. Ms. Hairston told police Mr. Marks advised her against taking the boy to the hospital, according to a criminal complaint, saying she faced a being reported to Fayette County Children and Youth Services.
According to the criminal complaint, the rash turned out to be a bruise and a full exam found multiple bruises, rib fractures and a fractured skull.
The boy was taken to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
According to the criminal complaint, a doctor there found that "This baby has been the victim of child physical abuse on more than one occasion. If he is returned to this environment, he is at very high risk of reinjury and/ or death."
The child does not have medical conditions that could have caused the injuries, nor could they be self-inflicted, the doctor found. The violence was repeated and "it is difficult to believe that a non-perpetrating caregiver who lives in the home would not have been aware that something is wrong," the doctor found, according to the criminal complaint.
Ms. Hairston told police she diluted the milk she fed her son, which denied the child adequate calories, according to the criminal complaint.
She also said Marks sometimes picks up the baby with one arm and throws him to her, according to the criminal complaint. Mr. Marks denied throwing the child, according to the criminal complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, the injuries appear to have started around the time Mr. Marks moved in with Ms. Hairston.
According to online court records, Ms. Hairston's bail has been set at $25,000 and Mr. Marks' bail at $75,000.
Mr. Hairston's preliminary hearing is set for July 31. Mr. Marks' preliminary hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.
The baby and his brothers are staying with their maternal grandparents. The child's health appears to have improved during his stay there, according to the criminal complaint.
First Published July 10, 2012 12:05 am
