CLEARFIELD – A local couple has been charged in connection with the alleged abuse of a 15-month-old child.
Nicholas Cowder, 22, of Clearfield and Ashlee Daniels, 18, of Altoona have been charged by Clearfield Regional police with aggravated assault, simple assault, child endangerment and related offenses.
According to a department-issued news release, on Oct. 2, police received a report of suspected physical child abuse at a Clearfield Borough residence.
Through the course of investigation and several interviews, it was determined that four separate assaults had occurred between Sept. 22 and Sept. 25.
During interviews it was also determined that one of the four incidents had allegedly caused the child to suffer a fractured tibia and also sustain a bruise to their head.
The child was not provided medical care until Sept. 27, said police, noting that both Cowder and Daniels were deceptive towards officers, Children, Youth & Family Services and hospital staff in their efforts to obstruct a child abuse investigation.
The investigation determined that the child was forced into a “timeout” chair, which caused the injuries. The child then reportedly fell out of the chair due to their leg injury.
Preliminary hearings will be scheduled in the near future.
