More details revealed in alleged infant assault incident in Mercer County
We're learning more details about a case in Mercer County where a man allegedly assaulted an infant fracturing his arm.
According to a press release from Mercer County PSP, Troopers responded to a call from a UPMC hospital in Greenville on October 23 to investigate injuries to the seven-month-old victim.
Troopers say the seven-month-old had multiple bruises on his face, scratches on his left shoulder and back and a spiral fracture to his left arm. Medical staff told troopers this type of fracture was concerning and showed signs of abuse of a non-mobile child.
According to a criminal complaint, troopers spoke with the infant's grandmother who told troopers the child was alone in a bedroom with a family member identified as 21-year-old Cameron Gehr.
The grandmother went on to say she was awoken by the infant screaming and saw blood on his mouth. She further told troopers that Gehr said he dropped a baby bottle on the infant.
Troopers say Gehr slammed the bottle into the infant's mouth three to four months prior, causing him to have a fat lip. When asked if Gehr has any anger issues, the grandmother told troopers he "takes fits."
Troopers then spoke with the infant's mother, as well as medical staff, who said Gehr attempted to lift the infant out of his crib with only one arm because of stitches in his hand.
Troopers then spoke with Gehr himself, who reiterated the mother and medical staff's story about lifting the baby up with his arm and said he accidentally dropped a full bottle on the baby's face.
Gehr further told troopers that earlier in the day, he was upset with the baby because he woke him up and admitted to putting a bottle in the baby's mouth too hard in the past causing his mouth to bleed.
After gathering this information, troopers arrested Gehr who is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and endangering children.
According to court records, Gehr's bail was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to be arraigned January 7 at 9 a.m.