CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man has been accused of abusing a seven-month-old baby.
Timothy J. Seagraves, 23, has been charged by Officer Shawn Fye of the Clearfield Borough police with felony aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and aggravated assault/victim less than 6 and defendant 18 or order (three counts).
He has also been charged with three misdemeanor counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Unable to post $50,000 bail, he’s been incarcerated in the Clearfield County Jail.
The charges stem from a report of suspected child abuse made to police on March 19, according to a news release issued by Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr.
The baby had been taken to Penn Highlands DuBois on March 18 and diagnosed with bilateral subdural bleeding, then transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital.
It was discovered the baby had multiple preretinal, intraretinal and subretinal hemorrhages. His injuries also required surgery for placement of a subdural drain, Shaw stated.
As part of the police investigation, it was learned Seagraves would become frustrated when the baby wouldn’t stop fussing. He would allegedly shake the baby and forcibly throw him into his bassinet.
“This was a terrible case of child abuse,” Shaw stated, adding that the DA’s office intended to prosecute this case to the “fullest extent of the law.”
“Child abuse of any nature is unacceptable.” He also thanked Fye, Clearfield Borough police and Children & Youth Services for their assistance.
Seagraves was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Monday before Magisterial District Judge Mike Morris. He’s been scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. May 1 during centralized court at the county jail.
