CLEARFIELD – Her boyfriend already answered for charges, and now a Clearfield woman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on counts that she endangered her son’s life.
Amanda J. Phippin, 26, is charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person after she left her 5-week-old son with her boyfriend, Matthew McGilvery (not the child’s father).
McGilvery was sentenced this spring to serve five to 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to an aggravated assault charge in the matter.
McGilvery was charged after Phippin’s son was taken to the doctor in June 2005. The child had shown signs of “Shaken Baby Syndrome,” and he was transported to Geisinger Medical Center via helicopter. The child survived, but he suffers from multiple medical conditions and handicaps.
Police officers filed the counts against Phippin after the investigation wrapped up with McGilvery.
During the course of their investigation last year, police interviewed McGilvery, who admitted that he “fell” while carrying the baby and “bounced” on him several times. Officers also interviewed Phippin who said that her boyfriend wanted her to spend more time with him. She also said McGilvery had raised his voice with her and the infant.
Doctor records show that the child suffered injuries including a fractured skull, bruising and various types of internal bleeding.
According to court documents, police filed the charges because Phippin had knowledge that McGilvery felt neglected and displayed hostile feelings toward the child. “Despite having this knowledge, Amanda allowed her son to be in the direct care of Matthew.” Further, police reported that Phippin waited four or more hours before taking her son to seek medical attention even though he was refusing to eat and had a blank stare, several red marks on him and seemed lethargic.
Phippin is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.