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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A mother and father are facing charges after their infant son was taken to the hospital with burns and injured ribs.

According to a criminal complaint, a 4-month-old child was brought to a hospital emergency room on May 17 with second degree burns on his face, neck and chest. Doctors also noticed he had a number of other injuries, including multiple fractured ribs and bruises on his thigh, knee and forehead.

A doctor said the child’s burns were consistent with scalding hot chemical burns, and doctors later determined his rib injuries were at least two weeks old.

The child’s father — 31-year-old Robert Andrews, of McKees Rocks — allegedly told detectives that on May 16, he had been holding the child against his bare chest with the child’s head resting in his armpit. Andrews said it was possible the burns were caused by his cheap deodorant and he couldn’t think of any other explanation.

Andrews said he had noticed on May 16 that his child’s face was peeling and he rubbed dry skin off his face, but he said the child didn’t seem upset or in pain.

The criminal complaint says Andrews told detectives he had “no idea” how his son could have had fractured ribs.

The child’s mother — 27-year-old Ashley Cochran, of Pittsburgh — told detectives that she noticed the burns on her son’s face when she woke up on May 17 and told Andrews they needed to take him to the hospital.

She also said she had “no idea” how the child had fractured ribs. She later told detectives that her 5-year-old daughter had fallen onto the child a few weeks ago while he was in his bouncy seat, which she believed could have possibly caused the rib injuries.

Cochran told police she didn’t think Andrews would ever hurt their son.

Children’s Child Advocacy doctors determined the child’s injuries were the result of trauma on an immobile child and there is no history of trauma that reasonably explains the injuries. Officials concluded the child had been the victim of child abuse on more than one occasion.

The child was removed from his parents’ custody before being discharged from the hospital.

Andrews is facing charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Cochran is facing charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

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MCKEESPORT (KDKA) — A man is facing charges for allegedly striking a 16-month-old girl in McKeesport.

According to a criminal complaint, the child’s mother said she had left her daughter alone with 23-year-old Jacob Coles when she went out to run errands Friday. When she returned, Coles said the child had vomited. The child’s mother said her daughter seemed lethargic and did not eat very well.

The child’s mother went out to run more errands, again leaving her alone with Coles. When she came back, she said her daughter was not responsive and her eyes were rolling back in her head. She then decided to take the girl to the hospital around 5 p.m.

The girl was taken to McKeesport Hospital then transferred to Children’s Hospital by medical helicopter.

At Children’s Hospital, doctors determined the child had four broken ribs and a lacerated liver and spleen. The staff said the injuries were caused by inflicted trauma.

(Photo Credit: Allegheny County)

Coles initially told police he wasn’t sure how the child got injured, then later said when the child’s mother was out, he tried to step over a baby gate while he was carrying the child and fell down a flight of stairs.

The criminal complaint says Coles did not appear to have any injuries consistent with a fall down the stairs. Detectives went to the apartment where the fall allegedly occurred and didn’t see any marks on the stairs indicating that someone had fallen. They also did not see a baby gate.

McKeesport Police and the Allegheny County Police investigated the incident and determined Coles had struck the child, causing the injuries.

Coles was arrested Saturday and sent to the Allegheny County Jail to await arraignment. He is facing charges of aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person.

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MONESSEN (KDKA) — Officials say a Monessen man is accused of violently abusing his toddler and the child’s mother is facing charges for failing to stop him.

Both Amanda Billion and David Allen Jackson Jr. are facing charges of child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

(Photo Credit: Mugshots.com)

According to police, Jackson physically abused his child to the point medical care was needed.

Investigators say Jackson, a man with a significant criminal history, struck the toddler repeatedly and plunged the child’s hand into hot spaghetti sauce.

Monessen Police are also charging Billion, the child’s mother, with child neglect after they say she did nothing to stop Jackson.

(Photo Credit: Mugshots.com)

The investigation into the alleged abuse began in July after a doctor examining the child at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh found the 21-month-old had noticeable bruising on both sides of the buttocks and burns on the left hand and fingers. Doctors determined the toddler was the victim of child abuse.

No one answered the door at the Reed Avenue home where the alleged abuse took place.

Billion is free awaiting her preliminary arraignment.

Jackson is also awaiting his preliminary arraignment, facing multiple felony counts to include aggravated assault on a child under the age of 6.

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BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (AP) — Police have charged a West Virginia couple with child neglect after officers said they found three children confined in makeshift cages.

News outlets report that court paperwork says state troopers found three children under age 4 held in “cage-like structures” in Howard and Samantha Rakes’ home.

Samantha (L), Howard (R) Rakes (Source: West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority)

A criminal complaint says two structures were formed by tying one baby bed on top of another. A third consisted of plastic crates tied together on top of a playpen.

Police said it took Samantha Rakes over a minute to untie and remove one of the children, which would cause a substantial risk of death or serious injury if an immediate threat occurred.

That led police to charge the couple with child neglect. Their attorneys did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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MONESSEN (KDKA) — A Westmoreland County man remains in jail after police say he dipped his toddler son’s hands in hot tomato sauce and hit him so hard he left a bruise. The child’s mother was also facing charges, but those have now been reduced.

Amanda Billion was in court on Friday, where she says a charge of child neglect that Monessen Police had arrested her on was reduced to disorderly conduct.

Her baby, a 19-month-old son named David Jackson III, is doing much better now after doctors at UPMC Children’s Hospital, over the summer, determined he was physically abused. He’s in a foster home for the time being.

(Photo Provided By Family)

The boy’s father, David Jackson Jr., was also charged in the case. He remains locked up in the Westmoreland County Prison.

(Photo Credit: Mugshots.com)

Billion told KDKA-TV News Friday night that besides doctors at Children’s Hospital notifying officials about the abuse in July, she did the right thing, too.

“We called the police,” Billion said. “I did everything I was asked. I let CYS take pictures of him; I took him to the hospital. I did everything I was supposed to do as a parent.”

The child suffered bruises on his buttocks, and police said, his father dipped the baby’s hands and fingers in hot tomato sauce.

“He had smacked him with his [diaper] on. We could actually hear it because there is a baby monitor on,” Billion said. “He did have a little bit of burns. I don’t know, I wasn’t in the room, I don’t know if he did it or he didn’t do it. I have a family member that is telling me, ‘Yes, I watched him do it.'”

Billon said her family and friends know she’s a caring mother, but on Facebook, she says she has been the subjected to wrongful, hateful criticism.

“The people that do not know me, they have been slandering my name all over Facebook, saying things like, ‘I hope you die and rot.’ They don’t even know me, they don’t know the full story,” she said.

Police say the alleged abuse happened at the couple’s home in Monessen.

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MCKEESPORT (KDKA) — A mother convicted of child abuse has been arrested in McKeesport.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office says in October 2015, 28-year-old Breanne Jefferson, of McKeesport, was accused of punching and stomping on her child because he wouldn’t stop crying.

Breanne Jefferson (Photo Courtesy: Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office)

Jefferson claimed she “blacked out” during the incident, but pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated assault (victim less than 6 and defendant 18 or older) and simple assault (grading, victim under 12 defendant 18 or older). Part of her sentencing included four years of probation.

Two years earlier, in December 2013, Jefferson had been accused of ransacking homes, stealing electronics and jewelry, and selling at least one of the stolen items at a pawnshop. Jefferson pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property in that incident, and part of her sentencing included probation.

Two bench warrants were issued for Jefferson’s arrest on Aug. 17 due to a violation of her probation/parole.

Allegheny County Sheriff’s Deputies learned over the last week that Jefferson was staying in an apartment in the Crawford Village housing plan in McKeesport.

When deputies arrived at the apartment, they met with someone who lived there and during their conversation, they saw Jefferson at the top of the stairs. Jefferson was taken into custody without incident.

Gina Wright (Photo Courtesy: Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office)

Deputies also apprehended the tenant of the apartment, 35-year-old Gina Wright. Wright was wanted out of Ohio for possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Jefferson and Wright were both sent to the Allegheny County Jail. Jefferson was lodged on her criminal bench warrants and Wright will remain at the jail while she awaits extradition to Ohio.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP/KDKA) – Pennsylvania’s highest court says mothers who use illegal drugs while pregnant can’t be considered perpetrators of child abuse against their newly born children under the state’s child protection law.

The court’s main opinion issued Friday says the law’s definition of a child doesn’t include fetuses or unborn children, and it says victims of perpetrators must be children.

Two justices who dissented say what should matter is when the injury manifests itself, and that can be after the child is born.

The case involves a child who spent 19 days in Williamsport Hospital last year after birth being treated for drug dependence that caused severe withdrawal symptoms.

The mother’s lawyer calls the decision a victory for public health and the rights of women and children.

RELATED: Pa. Newborn Drug Withdrawal Cases Up 1,000 Percent Over Last 17 Years

In 2017, a Butler County judge tossed out a felony assault charge against 30-year-old Kasey Dischman, who overdosed on heroin while seven months pregnant.

She had to have an emergency C-section and gave birth to a premature girl, who may suffer lasting injuries.

Dischman was initially charged with aggravated assault on an unborn child, but the judge later ruled state law protects pregnant women from such charges.

(TM and © Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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ARNOLD, Pa. (KDKA) — An Arnold woman is accused of strangling and abusing her 6-year-old son, who has autism, after he defecated in his pants.

According to a criminal complaint, officers responded to a child abuse report Saturday afternoon at a home on 5th Avenue.

When they arrived on the scene, a woman showed officers photos of a 6-year-old boy who had scratches on his neck, a bloodied lower and upper lip, a swollen and bruised eyebrow and a small hematoma with a scratch behind his ear.

The woman told police the boy has autism and defecated in his pants.

According to the woman, the child’s mother, identified as 27-year-old Elena Lovorn, took the boy into the bathroom to change him and allegedly abused him, causing the injuries.

The woman told police the boy didn’t have any injuries before he went into the bathroom with Lovorn.

Elena Lovorn, 2014 (Photo Credit: Mugshots.com)

When officers went into the house, they saw the boy’s injuries and noticed that the marks and scratches on his neck looked like he had been strangled.

Another witness at the scene told police she heard the boy screaming after Lovorn took him into the bathroom, but when someone tried to open the door, it was locked. When Lovorn opened the door, the boy had a tissue on his lip, but Lovorn said he wasn’t bleeding.

An officer placed Lovorn under arrest and transported her to the police station to be booked.

The criminal complaint says when an officer asked Lovorn if she wanted to speak with him about the incident, she said, “I thought I had the right to remain silent.”

When she was placed in a cell, Lovorn allegedly told the officer, “Go [expletive] yourself, pig.”

Lovorn is facing multiple charges, including strangulation, simple assault and endangering the welfare of children.

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SHARON, Pa. (KDKA) — Sharon Police say a man has been arrested after a child was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Officers were sent to the Willow Village Apartments on Sterling Avenue just before noon on Wednesday, Jan. 30, for a medical call for a child.

The child was sent to a local medical facility by ambulance for treatment.

Police learned the child’s injuries were serious and not accidental.

According to CBS affiliate WKBN, the girl had bleeding on her brain, two skull fractures, a fracture to her vertebrae and a broken arm.

As a result of their investigation, Sharon Police arrested Kevan Radcliffe on Feb. 1 and charged him with aggravated assault.

WKBN says Radcliffe told police he has “outbursts” and said he has hit the girl in the face and spanked her in the past.

Radcliffe was sent to the Mercer County Jail.

The child was last reported to be in stable condition.

The Sharon Police Department is being assisted by the Mercer County District Attorney’s Office and Mercer County Children and Youth.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – A new study says the number of Pennsylvania children killed or nearly killed after abuse had occurred spiked recently, likely driven by changes to state law and heightened awareness in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky and Roman Catholic clergy child sexual abuse scandals.

The state Human Services Department issued a report Thursday into fatalities and near fatalities during 2015 and 2016.

It shows both types of reports were up sharply after being fairly level for the preceding six years.

The number of substantiated fatalities and near fatalities ranged between 80 and 92 from 2009 through 2014. In 2016 that number was 127.

The study attributes the rise in part to revisions to the state Child Protective Service Law that took effect at the end of 2014.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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SHARPSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) – A baby was allegedly abused by its mother, who is now behind bars.

Angela Thornton, 32-years-old of Shaprsburg, is charged with endangering the welfare of children and aggravated assault.

Photo Credit: (Allegheny County Jail)

Thornton’s 1-year-old son was taken to Children’s Hospital at the beginning of last week.

Doctors found the opioid, buprenorphine, in his bloodstream, several broken ribs and bruising on his shoulders.

Police say Thornton told the doctor that she takes eight milligrams of prescribed suboxone strips by breaking them in half, so she can take the other half later.

Thornton said there is no way her son could have got into the medication. She went on to say that the family dog could have possibly taken empty wrappers out of the garbage.

The baby’s father was also at the hospital with Thornton.

Police say he got upset because the hospital was focusing on the baby’s bruising and broken bones and told doctors his son was only given aspirin.

Thornton said she is the only one who cares for the baby around the clock and would have known if her son had broken ribs.

However, doctors told police that the person who caused the rib injuries would have known about them right away.

Doctors then said there is no logical explanation for how the drug got into the child’s system.

Thornton is currently lodged at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting her preliminary hearing.

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A grandfather is facing assault charges, accused of beating his 8-year-old grandson with his belt in a school classroom.

Police say they were called to the Propel School in Hazelwood on Tuesday afternoon for a report of an assault.

According to the criminal complaint, Harold Coates told police he was called to the school over his grandson’s behavior.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Investigators say Coates went into his grandson’s classroom and began hitting the boy repeatedly with a belt. The alleged incident was caught on surveillance video and witnessed by two teachers.

Police say the video shows Coates “aggressively striking” his grandson with the belt “at least 16 times.” Then, it allegedly shows him dragging the boy out of the classroom, down the hallway and down a flight of stairs.

Investigators say the boy was knocked down repeatedly while he was dragged.

Officers say they found blood on the boy’s shirt and bruises on his head and body. He was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital to be checked out.

Coates was taken into custody and questioned by police, who say he admitted to hitting the boy “a few times” and said he was aiming for the boy’s legs.

He is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A man accused of beating his 8-year-old grandson with a belt and dragging him down a school hallway is staying in jail.

Bond has been denied for the 52-year-old suspect, Harold Coates.

Officials say Coates has 21 prior arrests, including in two felonies. He is currently waiting to be sentenced on another felony charge.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

According to the criminal complaint, Coates told police he was called to the school over his grandson’s behavior. Investigators say he went into his grandson’s classroom and began hitting the boy repeatedly with a belt.

Investigators say the boy was also knocked down while he was dragged from the classroom, down a hallway and down a flight of stairs.

Coates is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

His daughter, the mother of the child, is defending her father, saying her son is in need of constant discipline.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

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MONONGAHELA (KDKA) — A Washington County man is facing charges, accused of shaking an infant and sending the child to the hospital with severe injuries.

James Manges, 36, of Monongahela, is facing charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.

(Source: Washington County Correctional Facility)

According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened back in December at a home in Monongahela.

Police say the child was being cared for at Manges’ home at the time the injuries occurred.

“[Manges was angry at the baby] for crying, for being fussy,” Monongahela Police Office Ryan Lenzi said.

The baby had shallow breathing, was having a seizure and was not responding when police responded to the scene.

The criminal complaint reports that the 4-month-old baby was eventually admitted to the pediatric ICU at UPMC Children’s Hospital for severe head injuries.

“[Police were called] for a baby in distress. We believed it to be a medical call, but through the investigation and the help with CYF and the District Attorney’s office, we found that criminal charges would be applicable,” Lenzi said.

During the investigation, police say they determined the child had had a doctor’s appointment prior to being dropped off at Manges’ home. According to the criminal complaint, “no abnormalities were noted in this exam.”

Police say Manges’ was in charge of the child’s care for about an hour and a half.

He was given a polygraph test in March, and police say afterward he allegedly told investigators that “he was the one that caused the injuries to the child.”

“The baby had been shaken and that was admitted by the defendant, and he was also admitted that he dropped the baby on a hard floor,” Lenzi said.

Lenzi said Manges was angry at a video game that he had been playing.

He was taken into custody and charged on Friday.

Manges was being held in the Washington County Jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 17.

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A non-profit organization wants to raise awareness about child abuse in Pennsylvania and spread information on how to help put a stop to it.

One of the most horrific cases of child abuse was in the courts Monday.

Christian Clark, of McKeesport, pleaded guilty to killing her 17-month-old son, Andre Price III. She sent the boy’s father videos of the abuse and the killing. It highlights the problem of child abuse and the need for prevention.

RELATED LINKS:

• Kidsburgh.org
• More Kidsburgh Reports

A ceremony in downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday helped to visualize how big the problem is, as volunteers planted blue flags up and down Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh — 4,693 flags to be exact.

Each one represents a child abused in Pennsylvania in just the past year. Forty more black flags symbolize children killed by abuse.

“Unfortunately, we have entirely too many flags. And the goal really is through awareness-raising, through giving people concrete steps they can take to get involved, and to tell them it’s OK to get involved. We must. You may be the one person who saves a child’s life. Our goal is to reduce the number of flags,” Angela Liddle, president and CEO of PA Family Support Alliance, said.

At the ceremony at One Oxford Center, in which KDKA’s Kristine Sorensen served as the Master of Ceremonies, two children read stories of each of those 40 children killed, while other children removed birthday presents from a giant wooden birthday cake. The emotional event brought some people to tears.

In addition to the sobering statistics and heart-wrenching stories, the event also honored those who help protect children. Dr. Marcy Carrasco received the “Legacy Champion Award” for her career dedicated to protecting children, including founding A Children’s Place.

Kristen Glass was honored for her work at Jeremiah’s Place — a crisis nursery. It’s for parents who need help watching their kids, whether it’s to go on a job interview or they’re just overwhelmed and desperately need a break.

“We do receive phone calls from parents who say, ‘It’s just been me and my child, and I can feel myself getting really stressed out, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen next. Can you help me? And of course, we say, ‘yes,'” Glass said.

One major goal of the ceremony and the flags that represent abused children is to move people to take action if they suspect child abuse.

“If you think a child isn’t safe, you don’t have to investigate that. You don’t have to be 100% right. There are paid professionals who are trained to investigate the safety and well-being of kids. What you need to do is call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313,” Liddle said.

You can get more information on training on how to detect child abuse from the PA Family Support Alliance at www.pa-fsa.org.

UNIONTOWN (KDKA) — The Fayette County man on trial in the starvation death of his young daughter has been convicted of third-degree murder.

Michael Wright Jr., of Uniontown, could face up to 20-40 years in prison for the February 2016 death of 23-month-old Lydia Wright.

As he walked out of the court room Thursday, Wright said, “I’m innocent.”

According to testimony at the trial, the girl was found living in deplorable conditions. She was strapped to a car seat and unable to move.

Investigators said Wright and his partner, Andrea Dusha, would allegedly eat meals in front of the little girl, who was malnourished and dehydrated.

“When you see, especially your own children, you put their needs ahead of your own, and that certainly didn’t happen in this case. The record was replete with one of the chief concerns of the defendant was where he could get his methadone on the very morning of [the child’s] death,” Assistant District Attorney Melinda Dellarose said.

Dusha testified against Wright during the trial.

Police say Dusha brought the toddler already dead to Uniontown Hospital in 2016, claiming the child had developed an illness. But autopsy results showed the little girl weighed only 10 pounds, when a child of that age normally weighs as much as 20 pounds.

Prosecutors asked for a first-degree murder conviction, which could have meant life behind bars for Wright, but prosecutors say they’re pleased with the verdict.

“To know that both people who are responsible for putting [the child] there are going to spend time in prison for that is very gratifying,” Dellarose said. “Unfortunately, no matter what the outcome is in the court room, [it] can’t ever bring her back.”

Dusha has pleaded guilty in the case and is waiting to be sentenced.

Wright will be sentenced on May 24.

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) – A western Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to 9½ to 19 years in the malnutrition and dehydration death of her toddler daughter three years ago.

The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard reports that 29-year-old Andrea Dusha was sentenced Monday in accordance with an earlier no contest plea to third-degree murder.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Dusha and 34-year-old Michael Wright Jr. were charged in the February 2016 death of their daughter, Lydia. Authorities said the 23-month-old child weighed just 10 pounds when she died. Wright was convicted of third-degree murder and is to be sentenced later this month.

• RELATED STORY: Uniontown Father Convicted Of Third-Degree Murder In Child’s Starvation Death

Defense attorney Wendy Williams said there hasn’t been a day in which her client and her family haven’t expressed regret. Dusha, who was credited for time served since her arrest, said she hoped to “move forward from this.”

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Two local mothers have hired an attorney over allegations that their children were assaulted at a child care facility in Penn Hills.

Attorney Todd Hollis has been hired to represent the mothers in a lawsuit over allegations that their children were assaulted by a worker at the East Pittsburgh KinderCare Learning Center in Penn Hills.

Elisha Terrell’s 2-year-old daughter is one of the alleged victims.

“I’m really upset and sad that my daughter had to go through this and experience something like this at such a very young age,” Terrell said.

Investigators say Edlyzsa Bell-Cole’s 2-year-old son was also a victim.

“My child is 2 years old, and he is innocent, ” Bell-Cole said. “How could someone want to do something like that? It’s still overwhelming.”

Both of their children had been enrolled at the facility for a few months.

The mothers were told by Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families back in May — not KinderCare — about a police investigation involving the alleged abuse of their children by 27-year-old KinderCare worker Renee Grum.

Grum reportedly told the male child to shut up when he would cry, sprayed him with a water from a bottle and picked him up by the arms and struck him against wooden lockers.

The criminal complaint indicates Grum picked up the little girl by her arms and slammed her down onto the floor.

“As part of our standard process, we placed Ms. Grum on administrative leave,” the KinderCare Corporate Office in Portland, Ore. told KDKA. “She has not been in our center since May and no longer works for KinderCare.”

According to police, Grum gave multiple reasons for her behavior, including personal stress, inconsistency with help in the classroom and a recent move to a new residence.

Investigators say Grum also mentioned she has spoken to her family about considering some sort of treatment for her severe stress.

Grum also told police she didn’t mean to do anything wrong, and she is sorry.

“If what they say is true, this person should no longer have any access to children,” Hollis said. “I think KinderCare bears some responsibility. They should retrain and rehire.”

Hollis will file a lawsuit as soon as the criminal case ends. Grum has a preliminary hearing in Penn Hills on July 29.

Grum is facing charges for assault and endangering the welfare of children.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) – A Pennsylvania couple is facing child abuse charges over reports that the father put a mix of beer and formula in his child’s bottle.

Online court documents show 23-year-old Garrett Gunsallus was arrested this week on two felony child abuse charges, and a misdemeanor assault charge.

His former wife, 30-year-old Ashley Gunsallus, also faces one felony count of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to a criminal complaint, a witness told police Garrett Gunsallus filled a baby bottle with Natural Light beer, put formula on top and gave it to his toddler. The witness says the child drank the entire bottle and Gunsallus “thought it was funny and laughed.”

The investigation began when a child welfare worker noticed severe bruising on the legs of the couple’s infant.

No attorney is listed. No phone listing is available for the couple.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A couple is accused of beating and burning their 4 children.

Pittsburgh Police say Marc Safari and Ntahimpera Eveline are accused of threatening the two girls and two boys between the ages of 5 and 13.

When police asked the children about their parents, all four of them confirmed some sort of abuse on a regular basis.

One of the boys had welts on his legs from being hit with a stick and had burns.

The mother is also accused of threatening to cut off the children’s hands.

All four kids are now in foster care while police are searching for their parents.