CLEARFIELD – A few women gathered Wednesday morning at the Clearfield County Courthouse to show their support for the three-week-old infant girl, Lily, who was severely injured when her parents allegedly assaulted her last week in Osceola Mills.
Aaron John Mills, 32, of Osceola Mills has been charged with aggravated assault, F1, four counts; aggravated assault, F2, four counties; aggravated indecent assault, F2, two counts; endangering the welfare of children, F3; conspiracy/endangering the welfare of children, F3; simple assault, M1, four counts; recklessly endangering another person, M2; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, M.
Stephanie Diane McGuire, 22, also of Osceola Mills, has been charged with aggravated assault, F1; aggravated assault, F2; endangering the welfare of children, F3; conspiracy/endangering the welfare of children, F3; simple assault, M1; recklessly endangering another person, M2; and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, M.
The gathering Wednesday morning was organized by Marilyn McCulley, who has a “personal connection” to the case. She said while this morning’s gathering was to support baby Lily and to get her justice, it was also to raise awareness of child abuse.
“We want to see Lily’s parents punished to the fullest,” she said. She also wanted to send a message to community members to step up and speak out.
“Too many people see things, know things, hide things and protect these people. Too many people turn the other cheek, and this is the result of it.
“People need to report it – more families, more grandparents. We have to protect our children. People and families need to wake up before it’s too late.”
McCulley said she hopes the gathering brings more public awareness and helps save children from their abusers.
Joann Cirillo was among the women who stood in support of baby Lily. She would like to see more stringent laws to help prevent child abuse and more people reporting suspected child abuse, even if it appears to be “mild.”
“Don’t be afraid, speak up. Report it,” Cirillo said, “and right now, pray, please pray for baby Lily.”
The preliminary hearings for Mills and McGuire have been continued until 10:45 a.m. March 15 during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. McCulley is planning another gathering then outside the jail during the hearing.
“I want to see support. I want to see that people really care,” she said. “I want to see people line both sides of the road leading up to the jail on the day of that hearing.”
