An Ephrata father has admitted to abusing his infant daughter, causing dozens of rib fractures, a fractured pelvis, and facial injuries.
Edgardo Luis Reyes also pleaded guilty last week in Lancaster County Court to assaulting and stalking the child’s mother – by repeatedly abusing and threatening her.
In all, Reyes, 28, pleaded guilty to felony counts of aggravated assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child, and misdemeanor counts of simple assault (2 counts) and stalking.
County Judge Margaret Miller, who accepted the pleas, will order sentence after a background check is completed in about 3 months, according to Assistant District Attorney Karen Mansfield.
Reyes is at Lancaster County Prison on $275,000 bail.
The child was about a month old when police responded to an area hospital Aug. 15, 2015, for reported child abuse.
Doctors determined the child had sustained, over time, up to 28 rib fractures, a fractured pelvis, a cut on her lip, and abrasions to her face and knee. Doctors opined the injuries were sustained in multiple instances of abuse.
Reyes admitted to police to squeezing the child because she was crying, and to “forcefully” pushing her legs during a diaper change.
Regarding the stalking charges, Reyes abused and threatened the woman on multiple occasions in 2015, according to police.
Ephrata police Officer Peter Sheppard filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright