Criminal charges have been filed against a Westmoreland County man accused of severely injuring a two-month-old child. A release from county officials said police were called to a home on Sept. 22 along Stewart Street in New Kensington for a two-month-old believed to be in cardiac arrest. Officials were called to the home just before 3 a.m. The same day, the release continued, authorities were contacted by a social worker from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh who said the child was in critical condition. They said the child suffered from a series of seizures and possibly a stroke, believed to be from a traumatic event. Doctors later told detectives the child had bleeding on the brain that spread to the spine, suffered a stroke, vein thrombosis of the brain, and multiple seizures. Through the course of the investigation, officials learned the child was in the care of 25-year-old Jacob Piontek. “It was determined that Piontek’s statements to 911, doctors, and police officers recounting what occurred and caused the injuries were conflicting,” the release from county officials said. “After being questioned by detectives, Piontek claimed he was playing with the child and tossing the child onto a couch from approximately five to six feet away.”The release said the child has since been released from the hospital and remains in foster care. Piontek was taken into custody on Tuesday and has been charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and obstruction. Piontek was arraigned on $50,000 bail.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. —
Criminal charges have been filed against a Westmoreland County man accused of severely injuring a two-month-old child.
A release from county officials said police were called to a home on Sept. 22 along Stewart Street in New Kensington for a two-month-old believed to be in cardiac arrest.
Officials were called to the home just before 3 a.m.
The same day, the release continued, authorities were contacted by a social worker from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh who said the child was in critical condition. They said the child suffered from a series of seizures and possibly a stroke, believed to be from a traumatic event.
Doctors later told detectives the child had bleeding on the brain that spread to the spine, suffered a stroke, vein thrombosis of the brain, and multiple seizures.
Through the course of the investigation, officials learned the child was in the care of 25-year-old Jacob Piontek.
“It was determined that Piontek’s statements to 911, doctors, and police officers recounting what occurred and caused the injuries were conflicting,” the release from county officials said. “After being questioned by detectives, Piontek claimed he was playing with the child and tossing the child onto a couch from approximately five to six feet away.”
The release said the child has since been released from the hospital and remains in foster care.
Piontek was taken into custody on Tuesday and has been charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and obstruction.
Piontek was arraigned on $50,000 bail.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.