Couple Facing Felony Charges For Alleged Infant Abuse
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – One Westmoreland County couple is facing felony charges after they allegedly abused their 3-month old daughter.
Police say Christopher Peterman and Elizabeth Fair of New Alexandria abused and failed to seek out proper medical treatment for their infant daughter.
It was first suspected that the child may have been abused when the couple took her to an emergency room to be treated for a low heart rate and difficulty breathing.
The couple told medical staff at the hospital that the week before, a similar event happened, in which they had to perform CPR on the little girl and another incident in which the bassinet holding the baby broke, according to the police criminal complaint.
Once doctors checked the baby, they found many unrelated injuries, which they say could only be explained as the result of abuse.
Police allege over the course of several dates, the baby suffered more than 20 rib fractures, as well as fractures to her femur, skull and both arms. The baby also suffered injuries to her lungs, spleen and spine, according to the police report.
Police say Peterman could not explain the injuries.
Peterman and Fair face multiple charges, including aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child.
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