A Mount Joy Township man is facing several charges regarding abuse of a 5-month-old child who sustained major head injuries on June 1.
Daniel D. Deleon, 28, of Covington Court, was arraigned Friday morning for felony aggravated assault and related charges for the abuse of the infant boy, who survived after life-saving surgery at Hershey Medical Center.
Northwest Regional police determined the child was under Deleon’s care when the child sustained injuries that, according to doctors, would have instantly caused him to go limp.
Detective Kenneth Henry filed charges, which were approved by Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson. Lancaster County Detectives assisted in the investigation.
Deleon, who is married to the child’s mother, was arraigned Friday morning when bail was set at $100,000.
Police and medics responded to the Covington Court home June 1 at 7:45 p.m. for a report of an infant not breathing.
When first-responders arrived, the boy appeared to be in a “trance” and was not responsive.
The child was taken to Lancaster General Hospital, then Hershey Medical Center. There, an operation was performed to remove part of the child’s skull in attempts to alleviate brain swelling caused by a brain injury/bleed. The child was placed on a ventilator.
Doctors opined the child sustained a skull fracture and brain injury which would have immediately incapacitated the child.
Deleon was caring for the child June 1, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. when the child’s mother was at a grocery store, as Deleon and the mother reported to police.
In all, Deleon is charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of endangering a child and reckless endangerment.
Deleon is presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright