Md. Baby Needs Surgery After Alleged Sex Assault
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Frederick man is being held without bail on charges he sexually assaulted a 1-year-old boy so severely the child needed surgery.
Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith said Tuesday it is one of the most horrible child-abuse cases he has seen.
Prosecutors say the boy underwent a colostomy last week at Children's National Medical Center in Washington because his colon was torn.
Investigators allege in charging documents that 19-year-old Ryan Sheppard acknowledged to police that he sexually assaulted the child last Wednesday.
The allegations include first-degree sex offense and first-degree assault. Sheppard could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted on all counts.
Sheppard appeared Monday at his bail review without an attorney.
No attorney of record was listed Tuesday afternoon.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
