A Washington County man is in jail after allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son to the point that the boy is on a ventilator and being treated for critical injuries.
The baby is being treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. His doctor diagnosed him with a traumatic brain injury and considerable bruising, according to the criminal complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, the doctor told investigators that the victim’s brain impairment was caused entirely by child abuse.
Police identified the suspect as Lyndon Henderson, who was babysitting the youngster at the mother’s residence in California Borough during the weekend.
While the boy’s mother was at work Saturday afternoon, authorities say she was able to communicate with her boyfriend and child via video call. When she arrived home, she reported to state police that her kid was motionless on the couch.
The mother contacted 911, and the boy was brought to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital before being moved to Children’s Hospital, where he is in critical condition.
On Sunday, state police apprehended Henderson and took him in for questioning. According to the criminal complaint, Henderson stated that the youngster slipped off the couch after spinning him in circles.
According to the criminal complaint, he told detectives that he and the youngster spent the entire day in the flat together.
“Honestly just breaks my heart because I have a 3-year-old toddler boy and a daughter that I’m pregnant with,” said neighbor Jacqueline Lipscomb.
Henderson was arrested. He faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child.
